Artwork
Saint James Major Preaching
Saint James Major Preaching is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Martin Johann Schmidt. It dates from 1771 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Saint James Major Preaching is an etching on laid paper created by Martin Johann Schmidt, also known as Kremser Schmidt, in 1771. It is a representative work of the artist, who was a prominent figure in late Baroque and Rococo Austrian art.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts the apostle James the Greater delivering a sermon to a diverse crowd. The scene conveys a sense of energy and emotion, with the apostle's intense expression and the varied reactions of the listeners.
Technique & Style
Schmidt's work is characterized by the influence of northern Italian art, evident in the rendering of the figures and the composition. The etching technique allows for detailed textures and expressive contrasts between light and dark.
History & Provenance
Schmidt was active primarily in Stein, Lower Austria, where he worked on numerous commissions for churches and monasteries. This work is an example of his output during this period.
Artist & collection
Artist
Martin Johann Schmidt, called Kremser Schmidt or Kremserschmidt, (25 September 1718 – 28 June 1801), was one of the outstanding Austrian painters of the late Baroque/Rococo along with Franz Anton Maulbertsch.
