February 4–April 29, 2007
Landscape with the Adoration of the Golden Calf
1650–53
Pen and brown ink with gray wash on white paper, 200 x 269 mm
The British Museum, London
Claude's composition studies often exhibit pictorial breadth and conceptual beauty. This highly finished study for a painting demonstrates his tendency to combine different techniques—pen and ink, and different areas of tone applied with a brush—to draw the viewer's eye through the complex composition. The Israelites dance around the false idol while Moses receives the tablets of the law on Mount Sinai at upper left.
