An artwork on Galleree from The Art Institute of Chicago.
About the artwork
Christ Receiving the ChildrenSébastien Bourdon (French, 1616–1671)
c. 1655
France
100.3 × 135.2 cm (39 1/2 × 53 1/4 in.); Framed: 120.4 × 153.7 cm (47 3/8 × 60 1/2 in.)
Oil on canvas
Gift of Mrs. Eugene A. Davidson
['17th Century']
['Christian subjects', 'palms', 'trees', 'towns', 'landscape', 'saints', 'women', 'men', 'children', 'Christianity', 'religious', 'religion', 'Jesus', 'mountain']
['oil on canvas', 'french', 'oil paintings (visual works)', 'paint', 'painting', 'european painting']
['oil paint (paint)', 'canvas', 'paint', 'painting']
['oil painting', 'painting', 'painting (image making)', 'painting techniques']
In this illustration of an episode from the Gospel of Mark in the New Testament, Jesus (reclining at center) admonishes his disciples not to prevent little children from approaching him. Sébastien Bourdon’s figures wear draperies in the antique fashion, and the setting evokes both ancient Rome and the Christian Holy Land.
One of the most versatile and successful 17th-century French painters, Bourdon emulated the rigorous classical style of Nicolas Poussin. Bourdon knew Poussin’s work (such as the painting on view in this gallery) from his early years in Rome. Following Poussin’s compositional principles, Bourdon organized this scene as a series of parallel, stage-like registers, resulting in a calm, geometric order.
| attributed to Art Institute of Chicago under CC-By license
In a gentle moment captured in the Gospel of Mark, we find Jesus reclining at the center of a vivid scene. His expression radiates warmth, inviting all who approach him. Around him, curious faces of little children draw near, their innocence shimmering like sunlit jewels. Jesus, with compassionate eyes, turns to his disciples, softly admonishing them not to shoo away these young souls from his presence.
The figures painted by Sébastien Bourdon wear flowing draperies that whisper of ancient times, reminiscent of both the grandeur of Rome and the simplicity of the Christian Holy Land. They stand in a space that feels timeless, each fold of fabric gracefully echoing the stories of a bygone era.
Bourdon, renowned as a masterful painter of the 17th century, was deeply inspired by his mentor, Nicolas Poussin. His admiration for Poussin shaped his own artistic journey, allowing him to weave classical elements into his work. The scene unfolds before us like a well-rehearsed play, constructed according to Poussin's compositional principles. Each character exists in a parallel, harmonious arrangement that leads the eye through a sense of calm and geometric order.
As we gaze at this illustration, we are reminded of the importance of welcoming the young and the vulnerable – a lesson resonating through the ages. In this tranquil moment, we find a space for reflection, a place where the heart can pause and listen to the whispers of love and acceptance.
About the artist
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