The Christ Child Appearing to Saint Francis

The Christ Child Appearing to Saint Francis

Venetian 17th Century

1652

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch depicts a serene scene of the Christ Child appearing to Saint Francis. The saint is shown in a flowing robe, kneeling with his arms outstretched as he gazes upwards at the Christ Child. The Christ Child is rendered in a more delicate and ethereal manner, with a subtle smile on his face. The background of the sketch is left largely blank, with only a few faint lines suggesting the presence of clouds or a halo around the Christ Child. The sketch is characterized by its use of soft, gentle lines and subtle shading, which creates a sense of warmth and intimacy. The artist's use of pen, brown ink, and gray-brown wash over red chalk on laid paper adds a sense of texture and depth to the image. For more information on the artistic techniques used in this sketch, explore the technique of cross-hatching.

More by Venetian 17th Century

Artifact World Gallery — 100,000 artworks Get the app