Adonias Imploring the Grace of Solomon or Jeroboam Kneeling before Rehoboam

Charles-Paul-Jean-Baptiste de Bourgevin Vialart de Saint-Morys

1782

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a group of people in robes, gathered around a kneeling figure. One person stands on a raised platform, holding a staff, while others cluster below, some with hands outstretched. The lines are loose and quick, giving it a sketchy, unfinished feel. The colors are mostly brown, with light shading. The artist signed it as *Raffael Durbino*—a playful fake name, since this isn’t actually by Raphael. The scene looks like a biblical moment, with one person begging another for mercy. If you like this style, check out etching to see how artists use ink and plates to create prints like this.