Artwork preview

Saint Joseph Listening to the Angel's Counsel

Sébastien Bourdon

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of an angel guiding a family and a donkey. The drawing depicts an angel hovering over and guiding an adult standing beside a donkey, while another adult is seated, cradling a child. The background shows architectural ruins with columns and a distant landscape of hills and trees under an expansive sky. The composition is detailed with finely etched lines capturing the motion of the figures and the textures of their flowing garments. The scene conveys themes of guidance and protection amidst a classical landscape.

Artwork Details

Medium
etching
Dimensions
4172 × 3344 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original