Artwork

Interior of the Minor Church (Interno della chiesa minore) [plate F]

Interior of the Minor Church (Interno della chiesa minore) [plate F] is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacopo Ligozzi. It dates from 1612 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Jacopo Ligozzi’s 1612 engraving titled *Interior of the Minor Church* presents a compact ecclesiastical interior. The image is rendered as a print, with a later added overslip that delineates an altar screen, giving the composition a layered appearance.

Subject & Meaning

The scene centers on a modest altar surmounted by a crucifix, flanked by two small narrative panels—one depicting a nativity and the other a domestic family scene—integrated into the wall space. Two robed figures stand before the altar, gesturing as if to explain its significance.

Technique & Style

Ligozzi employs fine, controlled line work characteristic of late‑Renaissance and Mannerist drawing. The overslip, a separate engraved layer, adds depth to the altar screen through subtle shading and line modulation, creating a three‑dimensional illusion within the flat print medium.

History & Provenance

Created in 1612, the print reflects Ligozzi’s broader practice as a painter, illustrator, and miniaturist active from the mid‑16th to early‑17th centuries. The work survives as a single plate (identified as plate F) and is documented among his printed output.

Context

The composition combines architectural precision with decorative narrative elements, a hallmark of Ligozzi’s approach to integrating space and story. The inclusion of the overslip indicates a later modification, suggesting either a patron’s request for added visual complexity or a workshop practice of updating prints.

Artist & collection

Artist

Jacopo Ligozzi

Jacopo Ligozzi (1547–1627) was an Italian painter, illustrator, designer, and miniaturist. His art can be categorized as late-Renaissance and Mannerist styles.