1647
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Holy Family Seated on an Arch is a 1647 ink by Sébastien Bourdon, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a woman holding two small children, sitting on a broken archway. Behind them, a crumbling building with arched windows looms. The woman’s face is turned slightly away, and the kids look at each other—one reaches out, while the other clutches a small object. The rough lines and shadows give the scene a sense of urgency, like time is falling apart around them. The artist used a technique that lets ink build up in layers, making some edges sharp and others fuzzy. Next, check out etching to see how artists like Bourdon made prints like this.
Sébastien Bourdon (French pronunciation: ; 2 February 1616 – 8 May 1671) was a French painter and engraver. His chef d'œuvre is The Crucifixion of St. Peter made for the cathedral of Notre Dame.
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