Artwork
Christ on the Mount of Olives
Christ on the Mount of Olives is an ink print by the Baroque artist Pieter de Bailliu. It dates from 1636 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Pieter de Bailliu’s 1636 engraving, titled Christ on the Mount of Olives, presents a devotional scene rendered on laid paper. The print captures a moment of prayer on the biblical hill, employing the stark contrasts of line work typical of early‑17th‑century Northern European prints.
Subject & Meaning
At the center, a kneeling figure with flowing hair and a simple robe clasps his hands in supplication, while an attendant angel holds a chalice and a small, ambiguous object—perhaps a nail or thorn—evoking the Passion’s symbols. The composition invites contemplation of Christ’s foreknowledge of his suffering.
Technique & Style
De Bailliu utilizes fine cross‑hatching and varied line density to model forms and suggest atmospheric depth, especially in the brooding sky and distant tree. The meticulous texture of the figures and the subtle gradations of tone demonstrate the engraver’s command of the medium and his adherence to the detailed realism favored by Flemish printmakers.
History & Provenance
Created in 1636, the work belongs to a period when religious prints circulated widely for private devotion. While specific ownership records are scarce, the engraving has appeared in several catalogues of de Bailliu’s oeuvre, confirming its attribution and situating it within his broader output of biblical subjects.
Artist & collection
