Birth of St. John the Baptist 1650 - 1682

"Birth of St. John the Baptist" (1650–82), a black chalk drawing by Valentin Lefebvre (1642–82), depicts the moment of John the Baptist's birth. The drawing’s arched shape provides a sense of heavenly presence, with angels descending from above. Lefebvre's delicate lines create a sense of movement and emotion, focusing on the central group of women gathered around the newborn baby. The artist’s refined draftsmanship captures the intimacy of this biblical scene, making it an excellent example of Baroque-era drawing techniques.