Who painted Calligraphic Flowers?

Calligraphic Flowers was painted by Jean-Joseph Bernard in 1750.

Where can I see Calligraphic Flowers?

Calligraphic Flowers is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Calligraphic Flowers?

Calligraphic Flowers is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Calligraphic Flowers?

Museum-quality prints of Calligraphic Flowers are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Calligraphic Flowers

Jean-Joseph Bernard , 1750

Calligraphic Flowers is an ink drawing by the Baroque artist Jean-Joseph Bernard. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:by artist, lower right in pen and brown ink: Bernard; by later hand, lower right verso in graphite: K (underlined). (mat) by unknown hand, center verso in graphite: x1958 R / 45- / Original example of calligraphy by the famous French writing master, Bernard / p. 4 / # 39 B

About this work

Overview

‘Calligraphic Flowers’ is a drawing executed in 1750 by the French artist Jean‑Joseph Bernard. Rendered on laid paper, the work combines pen work in brown and iron‑gall ink with delicate watercolor washes, producing a composition that intertwines botanical motifs with calligraphic gestures.

Technique & Style

Bernard employed a dual approach, first outlining the floral forms with fine ink lines before applying translucent watercolor pigments. The use of iron‑gall ink, known for its deep, permanent black tones, contrasts with the softer brown ink, while the watercolor adds subtle tonal variation, highlighting the interplay between line and color typical of mid‑eighteenth‑century drawing practices.

History & Provenance

Created in the mid‑1700s, the piece reflects the period’s interest in decorative drawing and the study of nature. Though specific ownership records are limited, the work has been catalogued among Bernard’s surviving drawings and is now held in a public collection, where it contributes to the broader understanding of his oeuvre and the era’s graphic arts.