1655
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Dream of Saint Joseph is a 1655 ink by Sébastien Bourdon, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketchy drawing shows a chaotic scene with lots of swirling lines and figures. In the center, a man kneels beside a woman holding a baby, while a tall, dramatic angel hovers above them. The background is packed with rough buildings and people, all tangled in movement. The artist used loose, sketchy lines to make everything feel urgent and alive. The figures aren’t smooth—they’re full of quick, jagged strokes, like the artist was working fast. Next, check out the technique: etching to see how artists like this made marks with acid and metal plates.
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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