Artwork

Iisus și Ioan copii; Îngroparea

Iisus și Ioan copii; Îngroparea, by Unknown, 1850
Iisus și Ioan copii; Îngroparea, by Unknown, 1850

Iisus și Ioan copii; Îngroparea is a drawing by Unknown. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Romanian Peasant Museum.

About this work

Overview

The work is a line drawing that juxtaposes two biblical episodes: the childhood of Jesus and John the Baptist, and a subsequent burial scene. Rendered with minimal, unadorned strokes, the composition merges the two narratives within a single visual field, a practice that diverges from the more conventional single‑scene approach of devotional drawings.

Subject & Meaning

The first vignette portrays the infant Jesus alongside the young John, emphasizing their early connection, while the second depicts a burial, likely alluding to the Passion narrative. By pairing innocence with mortality, the artist invites contemplation of the continuum from birth to death within the Christian story.

Technique & Style

Executed in plain line work, the drawing relies on cross‑hatching to suggest volume and texture without resorting to shading or color. The economy of line and the repetitive intersecting strokes create depth and delineate forms, showcasing a disciplined handling of the medium that highlights narrative clarity over ornamental detail.

Context

Combining multiple episodes in a single panel is atypical for medieval and early modern devotional art, where scenes are usually isolated. This compositional choice reflects a didactic intent, allowing viewers to trace a theological progression at a glance, and situates the piece within a tradition of instructional religious illustration.

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known

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