1655
ink
paper
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 sketch shows a dramatic scene with two figures in a dim room. One person kneels, holding a child, while another floats above them, arms outstretched as if in motion. The walls are lined with shelves, and a tall column stands in the background. Light spills in from a window on the right, casting sharp shadows. The artist used loose, swirling lines to show movement and emotion, especially in the floating figure’s flowing robes. The scene looks like it’s from a story—maybe a dream or a vision. Next, look up 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.
See the richer artist page
