A 1642 painting of Joseph by French artist Philippe de Champaigne. (Image provided)

By  Darla McCammon
Lakeland Art Association

There are many famous and beautiful works of art with Christmas themes. Over the next few weeks I will share with you some of my personal favorites. So jump in our imaginary sleigh and take a ride with me to visit each of the art works and learn a little about the artist who created it.

Our first work I chose simply because Joseph in most Christmas stories is a secondary person to Jesus, Mary, the Magi and even the shepherds. Yet there are four times Joseph had a dream that was important enough to be recorded in the Scriptures. I like this painting because it shows details such as Joseph’s sandals and tools of his trade that possibly made the chair in which he is reclining. I believe it also helps us see a bit of his character and the fact that he was a hard worker and good craftsman.

All four dreams are in the Gospel of Matthew. This painting by French artist Philippe de Champaigne was created in 1642 and scholars believe it represents the first dream in Matthew Chapter 1:20-21. In this dream the angel appears to Joseph, the legal father of Jesus, and reassures him to take Mary as his wife. This work now hangs in the National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London, England.

The artist, Philippe de Champaigne, was born in May 1602 and died in 1674. He was born in Brussels to a poor family. He became a pupil of a landscape artist and learned rapidly so that in 1621 he moved to Paris and came under the tutelage of Duchesne. He would later marry Duchesne’s daughter. Champaigne became very popular in the Paris court and earned the ire of Duchesne.

He retired back to Brussels and lived with his brother until he learned of Duchesne’s death. He married the daughter and became the first painter of the queen with a very rich pension. He was a prolific artist and executed his work vividly and with great realism. He became the only artist Cardinal Richelieu would allow to create a painting of him in his full regalia as cardinal. He created 11 of these paintings.

Most of Champaigne’s works were religious in nature or portraits. His work was initially influenced by the great Rubens early in his career, but later his style became more his own. All his work was considered brilliant and remains revered today.

So, I’ve shared one of my favorites. Do you have one? Will you be able to guess my next favorite masterpiece coming next week?

Upcoming and current events:

• The Kim Rieff exhibit is now up and hanging at Warsaw City Hall. Rieff is an excellent artist and directs and teaches art at Grace College. Come see her vivid and beautiful work. You can visit this gallery from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Main floor.
• Lakeland Art Gallery: Christmas boutique is now open. Enjoy the fun and surprise someone with an original gift this Christmas. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

LAA is located at 107 N. First St., Pierceton, or www.lakelandartassociation.org. LAA is Also on Facebook. Contact your author/artist Darla McCammon at [email protected], at www.darlamc.com or Facebook a connection at darmccammon.