The Infant Christ Embracing the Cross (The Dream of Joseph)
1636
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1636
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Infant Christ Embracing the Cross (The Dream of Joseph) is a 1636 ink by Pietro Testa, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This print shows a crowded, tangled scene of people and trees. In the center, a woman holds a child who reaches toward a small cross. Around them, other figures—some adults, some babies—climb vines and branches, looking upward. The lines are dark and busy, with lots of texture in the leaves and clothing. The artist used a mix of fine lines and rough shading to create depth. The way the figures twist and overlap gives a sense of movement, almost like they’re caught in a swirl. Next, look up etching to see how artists like this one used acid and metal plates to make prints.
