Artwork
Saints Peter and Paul
Saints Peter and Paul is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Gaetano Gandolfi. It dates from 1785 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Saints Peter and Paul is a 1785 print by Italian late Baroque artist Gaetano Gandolfi, executed in etching and engraving on laid paper. The work is part of the National Gallery of Art's collection in Washington.
Subject & Meaning
The print portrays the apostles Peter and Paul in a religious composition characteristic of Gandolfi's oeuvre, which frequently explored biblical and sacred themes. Iconographic elements, such as keys, a book, and a broken chain, reinforce the subjects' identities and symbolism.
Technique & Style
Gandolfi utilized etching and engraving to achieve soft shading and detailed textures. The print's visual depth and expressive lines are hallmarks of the artist's skill in printmaking techniques.
History & Provenance
Created in 1785, the print is a reproduction of an earlier painting by Guido Reni, demonstrating Gandolfi's engagement with existing artistic works. It is now held in the National Gallery of Art's collection.
Context
As a leading Bolognese artist of his time, Gandolfi's work, including this print, reflects the late Baroque stylistic and thematic preferences prevalent in 18th-century Italy.
Legacy
While the print itself does not redefine Gandolfi's innovative impact, it exemplifies his contribution to the dissemination of religious imagery through printmaking, a medium that facilitated wider accessibility of artistic works during the period.
Artist & collection
Artist
Gaetano Gandolfi (31 August 1734 – 20 June 1802) was an Italian painter, draughtsman and sculptor of the late Baroque period, mainly active in and around Bologna.
