Artwork
The Opening of the Seventh Seal
The Opening of the Seventh Seal is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Jean Duvet. It dates from 1551 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Opening of the Seventh Seal is an engraving on laid paper created by Jean Duvet in 1555, as part of a series based on the Book of Revelation.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving depicts a scene from the Book of Revelation, with a robed figure holding a scroll at the top, surrounded by floating heads, and a chaotic crowd below, some holding instruments or books, conveying a sense of dramatic movement and intense religious themes.
Technique & Style
Duvet's work is characterized by crowded compositions and a naive quality, with intricate details such as faces in the clouds and tiny hands clutching objects, achieved through the engraving technique of carving lines into metal.
History & Provenance
Jean Duvet, a French goldsmith and engraver active from around 1520 until after 1561, is considered the first significant French printmaker, producing around 73 known plates that showcase his deeply personal and visionary approach to religious subject matter.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jean Duvet (1485 – after 1562) was a French Renaissance goldsmith and engraver, now best known for his engravings.
The Angel Gives Saint John the Book to Eat
The Seven Angels with the Trumpets
The Apocalypse: The Opening of the Seventh Seal
Saint John Summoned to Heaven
The Seven Angels with the Trumpets
Saint John Summoned to Heaven
The Angel Sounding the Sixth Trumpet
The Apocalypse: St. John Summoned to Heaven
The Apocalypse: The Opening of the Seventh Seal