Pictures in Focus: Two Drypoint Nativity Scenes by Hermine David

December 21, 2011

Pictures in Focus: Two Drypoint Nativity Scenes by Hermine David

French Graphic Artist Hermine David holds the honor of having the most images of the Christmas story in the Sacred Art Pilgrim Collection with two glazed enamel paintings, one watercolor, and eight prints. You can now view two new Christmas-themed art pieces by David in the image gallery of her artist profile page. There is a drypoint of a manger scene in Hermine's typical, miniaturist style, showing the Virgin Mary and a young shepherd with a set of pipes tucked into his belt, kneeling before the Christ Child while an ox, a baby lamb, and two hovering angels keep watch in the crowded stable. It was the artist's Christmas card for the year 1943. One angel holds a banner, reading PAX (peace), a message of hope in a time of war. A second print is hand-tinted variation of a 1949 drypoint of the Adoration of the Shepherds already in my collection. The monochrome scene has come to life with a few deft watercolor touches. (John Kohan)