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Five Men Pushing a Block of Stone

ca.1640–50
Not on view
In this vivid depiction of manual labor, Stella captures the exertions of five men moving a stone block using two long poles for leverage. The authenticity of the vignette is heightened by the artist’s economy of means. Employing black chalk and gray wash, Stella left areas of the sheet in reserve, or unworked, to convey the bright fall of sunshine on the men and on the top face of the block.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Five Men Pushing a Block of Stone
  • Artist: Jacques Stella (French, Lyons 1596–1657 Paris)
  • Date: ca.1640–50
  • Medium: Pen and brown ink, brush and gray wash, over traces of black chalk
  • Dimensions: 6 1/2 x 10 in. (16.5 x 25.4 cm)
  • Classification: Drawings
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1962
  • Object Number: 62.130.3
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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