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A Bonfire and Moonlight

Jean Le Blond

1658

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Baroque Baroque

Dominant colour

A Bonfire and Moonlight is a 1658 by Jean Le Blond, a Baroque work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Jean Le Blond
When & what style?: 1658 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This print shows a busy harbor scene at night. Ships with tall masts are tied up near the shore, and people are gathered around a big bonfire on the beach. The waves crash against the boats, and the moonlight glints off the water, making everything look dramatic. The artist used lots of crosshatching—tiny parallel lines—to create dark and light areas, giving the scene depth. The bonfire’s glow stands out against the dark night, making it the focal point. Next, check out chiaroscuro to see how artists use light and shadow like this.