Artwork

A Bonfire and Moonlight

A Bonfire and Moonlight, by Jean Le Blond, 1658
A Bonfire and Moonlight, by Jean Le Blond, 1658

A Bonfire and Moonlight is a print by the Baroque artist Jean Le Blond. It dates from 1658 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

A Bonfire and Moonlight, a 1658 print by Jean Le Blond, depicts a nocturnal harbor scene. The work is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The print shows a bustling night scene at a harbor, with moored ships, a gathering around a large bonfire on the beach, and dramatic moonlit waves. The bonfire serves as the focal point, contrasting sharply with the darkness.

Technique & Style

Le Blond employed extensive crosshatching to achieve deep contrasts of light and dark, imparting depth to the scene. The technique accentuates the bonfire's glow against the night, exemplifying the use of chiaroscuro.

History & Provenance

Created in 1658, the print is currently held in the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Artist & collection

Artist

Jean Le Blond

Jean Le Blond (1584–1666) was a French artist.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.