Who painted Saint Matthias?

Saint Matthias was painted by Jacques Callot in 1631.

Where can I see Saint Matthias?

Saint Matthias is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Saint Matthias?

Saint Matthias is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Saint Matthias

Jacques Callot , 1631

Saint Matthias is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1631 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Jacques Callot, a French printmaker active in the early seventeenth century, executed the etching titled Saint Matthias in 1631. The work is rendered on laid paper and belongs to his extensive series of religious subjects, which sit alongside his depictions of soldiers, courtly life, and landscape scenes.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a cloaked figure, identified as Saint Matthias, holding a sword and a book while standing in an urban square. The sword alludes to his martyrdom, whereas the book references his role as an apostle. The surrounding crowd and architectural elements suggest a public setting, emphasizing the saint’s connection to the community.

Technique & Style

Callot employed fine, incisive lines to delineate the folds of the robe and the texture of the surrounding architecture. The etching technique allowed him to achieve a high level of detail, characteristic of early‑Baroque printmaking, and the use of laid paper contributes a subtle tonal quality to the image.

History & Provenance

Created in 1631, Saint Matthias is part of Callot’s prolific output of more than 1,400 etchings. While the work was produced in the Duchy of Lorraine, it circulated among collectors of religious prints throughout Europe, reflecting the demand for devotional images in the period.

Context

During the early 1600s, French artists such as Callot were expanding the possibilities of etching, moving beyond purely illustrative functions toward complex narrative scenes. This print illustrates how religious iconography could be integrated with everyday urban environments, a trend evident in contemporary Baroque visual culture.