Artwork
The Death of Saint Peter Martyr

The Death of Saint Peter Martyr is an ink print by the Baroque artist John Baptist Jackson. It dates from 1739 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Death of Saint Peter Martyr is a chiaroscuro woodcut print created by John Baptist Jackson in 1739. It is a trial proof in black, showcasing the artist's experimental approach to the medium.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a dramatic scene of a robed figure, Saint Peter Martyr, lying on the ground, surrounded by trees and rocky terrain. The contrast between light and dark creates a sense of movement and intensity, evoking the martyr's violent death.
Technique & Style
Jackson employed chiaroscuro, a technique characterized by strong contrasts between light and dark, to achieve depth and drama. The use of subtle overprinting and embossing adds to the print's tonal variation and texture, reflecting Jackson's innovative approach to woodcut printing.
History & Provenance
John Baptist Jackson, a British printmaker, was active in Paris and Venice during the eighteenth century. He specialized in prints derived from oil paintings, and this work exemplifies his expertise in translating painterly effects into the medium of woodcut.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Baptist Jackson (1701–1780) was a British artist, a woodcut printmaker of the eighteenth century.







![The Marriage at Cana [left plate], by John Baptist Jackson](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/john-baptist-jackson--the-marriage-at-cana-left-plate--22bae83d46cc40b5-w320.webp)
![The Entombment [recto], by John Baptist Jackson](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/john-baptist-jackson--the-entombment-recto--a6e32e731f5b1bab-w320.webp)







