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Les Festes du mois de Decembre (December: The Nativity)

Léonard Gaultier

1603

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque Religious

Dominant colour

Les Festes du mois de Decembre (December: The Nativity) is a 1603 ink by Léonard Gaultier, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Léonard Gaultier
When & what style?: 1603 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This engraving shows a detailed Nativity scene. Mary kneels by a small baby Jesus. Joseph stands beside her. Shepherds peer in from the left. The scene is set in a rough stable. Cross-hatching gives the image depth. Tiny details fill every corner. The artist cut fine lines into metal to create shadows and light. It’s a quiet, precise piece. Look up engraving, cross-hatching next.