Joseph, Mary and Jesus Returning to Nazareth

Léonard Gaultier

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of a family returning to a city. The scene depicts a journey towards a walled city with grand architecture and visible figures of livestock and people in the background. Rolling hills and sparse trees line the path, adding depth to the landscape. Closer to the forefront, there is a family unit, the first walking energetically, elongated in form, leading the way, carrying a stick over the shoulder. The second figure follows, with a flowing robe, and another smaller figure seeks support from the second figure. Below the scene, a caption is etched with text. The artwork uses intricate linework and hatching to convey texture and detail throughout the scene.