The Chapel of the Enfants-Trouvés in Paris: L'Adoration des bergers 1752

Curator: Before us, we have a print made by Etienne Fessard in 1752 titled, "The Chapel of the Enfants-Trouvés in Paris: L'Adoration des bergers", which translates to The Adoration of the Shepherds. It is currently held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: It strikes me as an oddly balanced composition; so much is happening, yet the gaze struggles to find a central point of focus. There's this dynamic energy, but simultaneously, the grayscale rendering renders the whole image almost dreamlike and still. Curator: Given that this piece replicates the left-side altarpiece in the Chapel of the Enfants-Trouvés—essentially the Foundling Hospital in Paris—it subtly yet powerfully communicates societal values. The depiction of the shepherds isn’t just a biblical scene, but an affirmation of charity, care, and collective responsibility to the vulnerable, rendered visible through the adoration of found children at this chapel. Editor: Yes, consider how the architecture of the depicted stable mimics the hospital itself, creating nested layers of symbolic representation and drawing the viewer to look more closely. Also, this intricate web of etched lines simulates texture—fabric, straw, wood—which is incredible. It's not merely representational but evokes haptic sensations. Curator: Absolutely. The architecture mirrors not just the space, but the emotional scaffolding holding the institution together. Fessard’s technical skill elevates this image, becoming not just a visual depiction but a repository of cultural memory— a memory of a space dedicated to salvaging abandoned children during the tumultuous period of 18th-century Paris. The humble shepherd, musician and common family stand united, surrounding the Christ child. Editor: And the tonal variations obtained purely from the density of lines are phenomenal, an entire palette extracted from monochromatic restriction. It’s fascinating how the medium itself enhances the spiritual feel, as if revealing the sublime within the everyday, in what seems a realistic place that's infused with divinity. Curator: Indeed. The etching carries with it this visual echo of that chapel, allowing us to connect with the historical themes of charity. Editor: Precisely. One comes away contemplating how artistry shapes perception itself, drawing us deeper into not just a scene, but also its philosophical weight.