Christ and the Centurion

Art Historical Context

In the 17th-century drawing *Christ and the Centurion*, attributed to Sébastien Bourdon or an anonymous French artist of the period, we witness a poignant biblical scene from the Gospel Matthew (8:5–13). Here, the Roman centurion humbly kneels before Jesus, for the healing of his paralyzed servant—a story emphasizing faith transcending social barriers. Bourdon, a prominent French Baroque painter influenced by Italian masters like Caravaggio, often explored such dramatic religious narratives, blending realism with emotional depth. Crafted with pen and brown ink, brown wash over red and black chalk, and heightened with white on a modest 7 15/16 x 10 1/16 in. sheet, this preparatory study showcases virtuoso techniques of the era. The layered media allowed artists to model forms with chiaroscuro effects, capturing light's interplay on figures and drapery, much like sketches for larger oil paintings or engravings. Such drawings were prized in French academies for honing composition and anatomy. Bequeathed to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1971 by Harry G. Sperling, this work highlights the refined draftsmanship of 17th-century France, where drawings bridged studio practice and public devotion. Visitors will appreciate its intimate scale and lively execution, inviting reflection on humility and divine mercy.

About the Artist

Sébastien Bourdon|Anonymous, French, 17th century · 1616–1671

Sébastien Bourdon (1616–1671) was a French Baroque painter of remarkable versatility and restless ambition, whose career carried him from the workshops of Paris to the courts of Rome and Stockholm before he returned to France to become a founding member of one of Europe's most important artistic institutions. Born on 2 February 1616 in Montpellier into a Protestant family, Bourdon was apprenticed ...