Youth Sleeping before an Altar
1534
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1534
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Youth Sleeping before an Altar is a 1534 ink by Jakob Binck, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows four barefoot figures around a draped altar. One child sits on the altar’s edge, another leans on it. To the right, a winged figure kneels, holding a wreath. On the left, a child sits on the ground, looking down at a sleeping boy. The background is dark, with a few plants and a curtain. The sleeping boy’s relaxed pose contrasts with the alert figures around him. The wreath and wings suggest a mix of life and rest, common in Renaissance allegories. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like Binck carved these details.
Your cart is empty
Explore artworks →
