Where can I see St. Anthony; St. Prisca; St. Germanicus; Sts. Fabian and Sebastian?

St. Anthony; St. Prisca; St. Germanicus; Sts. Fabian and Sebastian is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is St. Anthony; St. Prisca; St. Germanicus; Sts. Fabian and Sebastian?

St. Anthony; St. Prisca; St. Germanicus; Sts. Fabian and Sebastian is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

St. Anthony; St. Prisca; St. Germanicus; Sts. Fabian and Sebastian

St. Anthony; St. Prisca; St. Germanicus; Sts. Fabian and Sebastian is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1634 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

This etching on laid paper, created by Jacques Callot around 1634, presents four distinct portraits of Christian saints within oval frames, each accompanied by characteristic attributes and simple backgrounds.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts St. Anthony, St. Prisca, St. Germanicus, and the paired Sts. Fabian and Sebastian, highlighting their individuality through symbols such as books and spears, while their grouping may suggest a thematic or devotional connection.

Technique & Style

Executed with sharp, detailed lines, the work exemplifies Callot's mastery of etching, a technique involving carving lines into metal plates to achieve precise, layered images. The composition's clarity and the subjects' rendering reflect the Baroque period's emphasis on expressive detail.

History & Provenance

Part of Callot's extensive oeuvre of over 1,400 etchings, this work is characteristic of his diverse output, which included religious themes alongside secular subjects. The exact provenance of this specific print is not detailed here.

Context

Created in the Duchy of Lorraine, this etching situates Callot within the broader European Baroque printmaking tradition, contributing to the popularization of religious imagery through accessible, detailed prints.