Christ in the House of Martha and Mary - Jan Joost van Cossiau

A red chalk study by Jan Joost van Cossiau, depicting the biblical scene of Christ with Martha and Mary, executed after Michel Corneille.

This work is a red chalk study by the Flemish artist Jan Joost van Cossiau, executed as a copy after a composition by the French painter Michel Corneille. The scene depicts the biblical narrative of Christ visiting the sisters Martha and Mary. Christ occupies the right side of the composition, seated in a gesture of teaching, while Mary sits at his feet in a posture of devotion. Martha stands near a doorway, gesturing towards the interior, reflecting the narrative tension between domestic service and spiritual attentiveness. A small brazier emitting smoke sits in the foreground, adding a sense of atmosphere to the interior setting.

Van Cossiau, who spent much of his career in Germany, was known for his ability to translate the works of other masters into his own graphic style. His use of red chalk allows for a soft, tonal approach to modelling the figures and the architectural space. The drapery of the garments is rendered with fluid lines, capturing the weight and movement of the fabric typical of the Baroque period. The composition relies on a clear division of space, with the architectural elements providing a structured backdrop for the interaction between the figures. The light source appears to originate from the left, casting gentle shadows that define the forms and create a sense of volume within the scene.

This print captures the delicate nature of the original drawing, preserving the texture of the chalk and the subtle gradations of tone. It offers a view into the practice of copying master works, a common method for artists to study composition and figure drawing during the eighteenth century. The work remains a study of human gesture and narrative clarity, presented with the restraint characteristic of the period.