Who painted Esurientes pascere?

Esurientes pascere was painted by Sébastien Bourdon in 1668.

Where can I see Esurientes pascere?

Esurientes pascere is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Esurientes pascere?

Esurientes pascere is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Esurientes pascere

Sébastien Bourdon , 1668

Esurientes pascere is an ink print by the Baroque artist Sébastien Bourdon. It dates from 1668 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1668, *Esurientes pascere* is an engraving by the French artist Sébastien Bourdon. Known primarily for his paintings, Bourdon also worked in printmaking, and this work exemplifies his engagement with the medium. The image presents an allegorical gathering set within a natural landscape, rendered with a careful eye for detail and spatial depth.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts a group of figures assembled near a riverbank, with a seated woman on a stone bench serving as the focal point. The surrounding participants are shown standing or seated, their gestures and expressions suggesting a narrative of communal sustenance or spiritual nourishment, consistent with the title’s reference to feeding the hungry.

Technique & Style

Bourdon employs fine line work and cross‑hatching to model forms and convey texture, from the folds of garments to the bark of trees. Graduated shading creates a sense of recession, while the careful rendering of water and foliage enhances the illusion of three‑dimensional space. The overall effect aligns with the detailed realism characteristic of mid‑seventeenth‑century French printmaking.

History & Provenance

The engraving was produced during Bourdon’s mature period, shortly after his celebrated religious commissions such as the *Crucifixion of St. Peter* for Notre‑Dame. While the original print’s ownership trail is not fully documented, it survives in several European collections, attesting to the artist’s reputation in both painting and engraving during his lifetime.

Artist & collection

Artist

Sébastien Bourdon

Sébastien Bourdon (French pronunciation: ; 2 February 1616 – 8 May 1671) was a French painter and engraver. His chef d'œuvre is The Crucifixion of St. Peter made for the cathedral of Notre Dame.