Artwork
The dream of the baby Jesus
The dream of the baby Jesus is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Jules-Joseph Meynier. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of Fine Arts, Argentina.
About this work
Overview
Jules‑Joseph Meynier’s oil painting titled *The Dream of the Baby Jesus* dates from 1890 and is part of the collection of the National Museum of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires. The work depicts a quiet, intimate tableau centred on an infant Jesus held by a woman, with a seated male figure nearby, while a host of angels plays instruments above them.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a tender moment from the Nativity narrative, emphasizing the innocence of the newborn Christ and the protective presence of his caregivers. The surrounding angels, engaged in music, suggest a celestial celebration of the infant’s arrival, reinforcing themes of divine harmony and peace.
Technique & Style
Rendered in oil, the painting employs a restrained palette of warm, muted earth tones, dominated by soft blues, browns, and subtle highlights. Meynier’s handling of light creates gentle modelling of forms, while the overall atmosphere remains calm, reflecting a subdued chiaroscuro that balances illumination and shadow without dramatic contrast.
History & Provenance
Created in the late nineteenth century, the canvas entered the holdings of Argentina’s National Museum of Fine Arts, where it remains on display. Its acquisition date and prior ownership are not documented in the available sources, but the work has been part of the museum’s permanent collection for several decades.
Artist & collection
Museum
National Museum of Fine Arts, Argentina
Continue through works from the same source collection.
The Flight into Egypt
Italian Women in a Vineyard near Rome
The Unfortunate Mother
Maria, das Kind anbetend
The Holy Women at the Tomb or The Three Marys at the Tomb
Christus und die Frauen
The Holy Family
The Holy Night (The Nativity)
Nativity
The Adoration of the Shepherds
The Annunciation to the Shepherds
Sketch to the Painting "Three Marys Walking to Christ's Tomb "