Roberta Olson states that the painting depicts the ""importance of the family"" and is related to ""Doni’s hoped-for descendants."" One of the ways in which the painting depicts a "good marriage" is by the seemingly ""reciprocal action"" of the handling of Jesus between Joseph and Mary. Much importance is given to Joseph by way of the colors of his clothes: yellow, indicating the divine aspect of the family as well as "truth," and purple, standing for royal lineage tracing from the House of David. Additionally, Joseph is important to the painting by referencing the middle name of the ""Doni’s third child who lived beyond infancy."" The theme of baptism is also suggested on the painting's frame through a possible reference to Ghiberti's "Porta del Paradiso" - being one of the three sets of doors of the Florentine Baptistry (two of which by Ghiberti) - the sculpted details indirectly referring to the rite of Baptism, important for the Donis and their desire for a child as the product of a good marriage, exemplified by the Holy Family, perhaps one reason behind the commissioning of the work.