Who painted Saint Rosalia Crowned by the Child Jesus?

Saint Rosalia Crowned by the Child Jesus was painted by Paulus Pontius in 1630.

Where can I see Saint Rosalia Crowned by the Child Jesus?

Saint Rosalia Crowned by the Child Jesus is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Saint Rosalia Crowned by the Child Jesus?

Saint Rosalia Crowned by the Child Jesus is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Saint Rosalia Crowned by the Child Jesus

Paulus Pontius , 1630

Saint Rosalia Crowned by the Child Jesus is an ink print by the Baroque artist Paulus Pontius. It dates from 1630 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1630, this engraving on laid paper presents a devotional scene in which Saint Rosalia is honored by the Christ Child.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1630, this engraving on laid paper presents a devotional scene in which Saint Rosalia is honored by the Christ Child. The composition centers on a woman cradling an infant, surrounded by onlookers and celestial figures, all rendered in the intricate line work typical of early‑Baroque printmaking.

Subject & Meaning

The image illustrates the legend of Saint Rosalia, a 12th‑century hermit venerated for interceding during plague. By showing the child Jesus placing a crown upon her head, the work emphasizes her sanctified status and the divine approval of her intercessory role, a theme resonant with Counter‑Reformation spirituality.

Technique & Style

Pontius employs dense cross‑hatching to model forms, generating subtle gradations of light and shadow that give the figures a sculptural presence. The use of laid‑paper texture, fine line work, and a balanced arrangement of figures reflects the Flemish Baroque aesthetic cultivated in Antwerp’s print workshops.

History & Provenance

The engraving is attributed to Pontius Paulus, a Flemish artist linked to Peter Paul Rubens’s workshop and later to collaborations with Anthony van Dyck and Jacob Jordaens. Produced during a period when Antwerp was a hub for print production, the work circulated among devotional collectors in the early 17th century.

Context

In the early 1600s, depictions of local saints like Rosalia served both religious and civic purposes, especially in regions affected by epidemic disease. This print aligns with the broader Baroque trend of dramatizing sacred narratives to inspire piety and reinforce the authority of the Church.