Le Lutrin: A Night Scene with Boirude, Brontin, and L'Amour Surprised by an Owl Flying Out of a Lectern c. 1718

Bernard Picart created this wash and graphite on paper drawing titled "Le Lutrin: A Night Scene..." sometime between the late 17th and early 18th century. This amusing scene is framed with images of musical scores, owls, and children playing. It gives us a glimpse into the artist’s world, shaped by a shifting religious landscape and intellectual curiosity. The title refers to a humorous poem, “Le Lutrin,” which satirizes clerical life, and seems to delight in the disruption of solemnity. Picart, who would later become known for his engravings that documented religious rituals from around the world, walks a fine line here. Are we laughing with or at these figures? There’s a tension between the formal setting and the absurdity of the moment. What might this tell us about the artist and his relationship with religious institutions? As viewers, we're invited to reflect on our own perspectives toward authority, tradition, and perhaps, the unexpected disturbances that shake up our own night scenes.