A delicate balance
François Brunery captures a moment of pure panic as a rotund cardinal in brilliant red robes tries to cross a rickety wooden bridge that is literally falling apart beneath his feet. His terrified expression and flailing arms contrast hilariously with the priest in black trailing behind him, who looks equally doomed as the structure collapses. You can even see the cardinal's hat and prayer books tumbling into the rushing stream below, adding to the chaotic charm of this classic academic genre scene. Brunery was famous for these witty, narrative paintings that poked fun at the clergy and everyday life in 19th-century France.
- Technique
- Oil painting