The Dishonest Steward

Léonard Gaultier

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of a scene with an architectural setting and several figures involved in a transaction. The foreground features a bearded figure seated behind a table topped with documents and coins. Opposite the table stand several figures, one of whom appears to be offering something. In the background, through an archway, another scene is visible where a figure is speaking to an enthroned figure. The surrounding architecture is composed of arched columns and classical elements. The landscape outside the structure includes buildings and a hilly terrain. The style suggests a detailed and intentional composition common in historical illustrations.