Artwork

St. Margaret of Antioch; St. Praxedes; St. Mary Magdalene; St. Bridget of Sweden

St. Margaret of Antioch; St. Praxedes; St. Mary Magdalene; St. Bridget of Sweden 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, depicts four female saints in separate oval frames, showcasing the artist's technical mastery and thematic duality of devotional and observational subjects.

Subject & Meaning

The print features four distinct scenes of female saints: St. Margaret of Antioch standing on a dragon with a cross, St. Praxedes kneeling by a tomb, St. Mary Magdalene pouring oil on a rock, and St. Bridget of Sweden praying by a wall with a cross. Each pose conveys dramatic intensity, simplifying religious narratives through strong lines and shadows.

Technique & Style

Callot employed etching techniques to achieve dark, sharp details, characteristic of his precise and expressive draftsmanship. The composition's clarity and the saints' dramatic poses reflect his baroque style.

History & Provenance

Created in Callot's later period, this work exemplifies his mature skill. Part of an extensive oeuvre of over 1,400 etchings, it highlights his engagement with religious and everyday themes, though specific provenance details for this piece are not provided.

Context

As a French baroque printmaker from the Duchy of Lorraine, Callot's work, including this etching, was influenced by the religious and cultural climate of 17th-century Europe, catering to both devotional practices and the growing market for observant, detailed art.