Le Petit prédicateur
1791
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
Artist
Nicolas Delaunay
Nicolas Delaunay (1739–1792) was a French artist, born in Paris.
See the richer artist page1791
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Le Petit prédicateur is a 1791 ink by Nicolas Delaunay, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This print shows a group of five figures—three adults and two children—gathered in a dim, cozy space. The adults sit on a couch and floor, while the children play nearby: one child stands on a chair, pointing upward as if telling a story. The background is dark, but a small table with a lamp and books sits in the corner. A wreath frames the scene, and the bottom has a tiny landscape with more tiny figures. The title *Le Petit prédicateur* means "The Little Preacher," hinting the child’s gesture might be the focus. The artist used fine lines to create shadows and textures, like the folds in clothing or the child’s chubby arm. Next, look up etching to see how artists like Delaunay carved this level of detail.
Nicolas Delaunay (1739–1792) was a French artist, born in Paris.
See the richer artist page
