Artwork

St. Irene & Companions; St. Christiana; Sts. Anania, Azaria & Misael; St. Florianus & Companions

St. Irene & Companions; St. Christiana; Sts. Anania, Azaria & Misael; St. Florianus & Companions 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 around 1634, is a work by Jacques Callot, a French printmaker and draftsman from the Duchy of Lorraine. It comprises four scenes within oval frames, depicting various saints and their companions.

Subject & Meaning

The print features four distinct scenes, each illustrating a different saintly narrative. The subjects include St. Irene, St. Christiana, and Sts. Anania, Azaria, and Misael, among others, and are identified by text above their respective scenes. The scenes convey dramatic and emotionally charged moments.

Technique & Style

The etching showcases Callot's skill in creating detailed, high-contrast images. Sharp lines and dark shading are used to render the figures and their surroundings, making them stand out against the lighter background. The use of oval frames adds to the composition's visual complexity.

History & Provenance

The work is characteristic of Callot's output as a baroque printmaker, known for documenting various aspects of contemporary life, including religious subjects. The etching is signed with the artist's monogram 'C' and dated 'Decem,' likely indicating December.