Artwork
The Choosing of Saint Matthias
The Choosing of Saint Matthias is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Philip Galle. It dates from 1574 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Philip Galle’s 1574 engraving, titled *The Choosing of Saint Matthias*, presents a densely populated biblical tableau.
Philip Galle’s 1574 engraving, titled *The Choosing of Saint Matthias*, presents a densely populated biblical tableau. Set beneath an architectural arch, the composition balances groups of standing and kneeling figures, a woman passing an object to a man near a pillar, and a figure reaching upward toward a higher assembly. The crowded scene is rendered in fine line work that defines space and conveys a sense of collective activity.
Subject & Meaning
The print illustrates the New Testament episode in which the remaining apostles select Matthias as the successor to Judas Iscariot. The central focus on the act of choosing underscores themes of continuity and restoration within the early Church, emphasizing communal discernment and the sanctity of apostolic succession.
Technique & Style
Executed in copper engraving, Galle employs cross‑hatching and parallel lines to model forms, generate shadows, and suggest depth. The intricate linear network creates a tactile solidity to garments and architecture, while the crowded arrangement demonstrates the printmaker’s skill in managing complex groupings within a limited tonal range.
History & Provenance
Philip Galle, a prominent Dutch publisher and engraver of the late sixteenth century, specialized in reproducing the works of earlier masters for a broad market. This print, produced in 1574, reflects his role in disseminating religious imagery across Europe, serving both devotional and instructional purposes for collectors and churches.
Context
The image belongs to a period when reproductive prints circulated biblical narratives to audiences lacking access to original paintings. By translating a narrative scene into an affordable medium, Galle contributed to the visual culture of the Counter‑Reformation, reinforcing scriptural themes through widely distributed imagery.
Artist & collection
Artist
Philip (or Philips) Galle (1537 – March 1612) was a Dutch publisher, best known for publishing old master prints, which he also produced as designer and engraver. He is especially known for his reproductive engravings of paintings.
Dianae Ephesiae Templum (The Temple of Diana at Ephesus)
Saint Peter Speaks to the People about Christ
The Vision of Saint Peter
Beheading of Saint James
Saint Paul Shipwrecked on the Island of Melita
The Angel Orders Saint Philip to Accompany the Ethiopian Eunuch
Notorious Examples of Wealth from Antiquity
The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins
