The Descent of the Holy Spirit

The May of 1634 painted by Jacques Blanchard illustrates the theme of Pentecost. In the scriptures, fifty days after Easter, the spirit of God, symbolized by tongues of fire, blows on the apostles. Jacques Blanchard was 34 when he painted this canvas. Critics recognized in him the talent of a promising painter. Blanchard learned how to subtly integrate the play of light on the different planes of the composition from the Italian masters during his trip to Italy. The painting hung in the chapel of the Baptismal Fonts of Notre-Dame Cathedral.