Who painted A Scene from the New Testament?

A Scene from the New Testament was painted by Léopold Flameng in 1859.

Where can I see A Scene from the New Testament?

A Scene from the New Testament is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is A Scene from the New Testament?

A Scene from the New Testament is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

A Scene from the New Testament

Léopold Flameng , 1859

A Scene from the New Testament is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Léopold Flameng. It dates from 1859 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Léopold Flameng, a 19th‑century French engraver originally from Brussels, produced the etching *A Scene from the New Bible* in 1859. The work belongs to his extensive output of prints that document religious narratives, reflecting the era’s fascination with biblical subjects through the medium of reproducible art.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a modestly illuminated interior where a small group of robed figures gathers. Some stand, others sit, while a woman at the doorway raises her hand in a gesture that suggests either greeting or benediction. The arrangement conveys a restrained solemnity, inviting contemplation of the depicted biblical moment.

Technique & Style

Executed as an etching, the image relies on fine line work and careful modulation of tone to render textures and depth. Flameng’s handling of the acid‑etched copper plate produces subtle gradations that model the fabric and ambient light, exemplifying the precision characteristic of mid‑19th‑century reproductive printmaking.

History & Provenance

Created in 1859, the print emerged during a period when French artists frequently revisited sacred themes for both devotional and scholarly purposes. Flameng’s reputation as an illustrator and painter informed his approach to the plate, and the work has since been catalogued among his numerous religious engravings, remaining in museum collections that focus on 19th‑century graphic arts.