Artwork
Christ with Doubting Thomas and the Apostles
Christ with Doubting Thomas and the Apostles is a watercolor drawing by the Romanticist artist Henri Lehmann. It dates from 1848 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Christ with Doubting Thomas and the Apostles is a 1848 drawing by Henri Lehmann, executed in graphite with watercolor on wove paper. The piece depicts a biblical scene featuring Christ and his apostles.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing illustrates the moment of Doubting Thomas, where one apostle (kneeling, touching Christ's foot) expresses skepticism, while others gather around, some reaching out. Christ, identifiable by a glowing halo, stands in a doorway, hand on his side.
Technique & Style
Lehmann employed a loose, expressive technique, combining quick graphite lines with soft watercolor washes in muted tones (beiges, browns, and greenish draperies). The use of glazing achieved depth through layered, translucent paint.
History & Provenance
Created in 1848 by French historical painter and portraitist Henri Lehmann, the drawing is now part of the National Gallery of Art's collection in Washington.
Context
As a religious genre piece from the mid-19th century, the work reflects Lehmann's historical painting background, adapting his style to a more intimate, sketchy drawing format.
Legacy
While specific impact or influence of this particular drawing is not highlighted, it contributes to the broader understanding of Lehmann's artistic range and the 19th-century approach to biblical themes in art.
Artist & collection
