Saint Francis Adoring the Christ Child

1598-1688

Claude Mellan

Associated Names
Claude Mellan

Artist, French, 1598 - 1688

The image displays a man kneeling on the ground facing a seated woman and child on a cloud. The man has short hair with a beard, wearing a long robe tied at the waist, suggesting a monastic habit. His gaze is directed towards the child, with his hands raised towards the child's foot. The woman is seated on the cloud, holding the child. She has soft facial features with dark, wavy hair, draped in flowing robes. The child has curly hair, sitting on the woman's lap, reaching towards the man. In the clouds, there are cherubic faces and winged figures. In the background, there are mountains and valleys faintly depicted.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

  • Accession Number

    1974.70.11

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Montaiglon 1856, 392, no. 72, state ii/ii


Artwork history & notes

Exhibition History

2018

  • Heavenly Earth: Images of Saint Francis at La Verna, NGA, 2018.

Bibliography

1856

  • Montaiglon, Anatole de. Catalogue raisonne de l'oeuvre de Claude Mellan d'Abbeville. Abbeville, 1856: 392, no. 72.

1988

  • Préaud, Maxime. Inventaire du fonds français: Graveurs du XVIIe siècle, vol. 17 (Claude Mellan). Paris: Bibliothèque nationale, 1988, no. 74, state ii/ii.

Wikidata ID

Q65566999

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