Saint Bernard Kneeling before the Virgin and Child 1640

Claude Mellan's "Saint Bernard Kneeling before the Virgin and Child" is a powerful etching from 1640, now held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The artwork depicts the revered Saint Bernard of Clairvaux kneeling in prayer before the Virgin Mary and the Christ child. The scene is framed by clouds and a halo of light surrounding the Virgin Mary, while cherubic figures add an air of ethereal beauty to the scene. The saint's posture is deeply reverent, his eyes fixed on the holy figures above him. Mellan's masterful use of light and shadow highlights the emotional impact of this deeply spiritual moment. His signature use of single-line engraving is evident throughout the piece.