Artwork

Saints Cosmas and Damian Caring for the Sick

Saints Cosmas and Damian Caring for the Sick, by Paul Troger, ink, 1736
Saints Cosmas and Damian Caring for the Sick, by Paul Troger, ink, 1736

Saints Cosmas and Damian Caring for the Sick is an ink print by the Baroque artist Paul Troger. It dates from 1736 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Saints Cosmas and Damian Caring for the Sick is a print created by Austrian Baroque artist Paul Troger around 1736, combining etching and engraving techniques on laid paper.

Subject & Meaning

The print illustrates Saints Cosmas and Damian tending to the sick in a dimly lit room, embodying the Baroque focus on dramatic narrative and devotional themes, with a cherub in the background symbolizing heavenly presence.

Technique & Style

Troger employed etching with engraving on laid paper, characteristic of his period. The work's quiet, contemplative atmosphere and use of chiaroscuro (evident in the dim lighting and drawn curtain) reflect Baroque stylistic influences.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1736, the print's provenance details are not specified here, though it is attributed to Paul Troger, known for influencing Austrian painting into the late 18th century.

Context

This work aligns with the late Baroque emphasis on emotionally charged, religious scenes. Troger's broader oeuvre, including illusionistic ceiling frescoes, contributed significantly to Austrian Baroque painting.

Legacy

While the specific legacy of *Saints Cosmas and Damian Caring for the Sick* is not detailed, Troger's overall body of work shaped subsequent Austrian painting and influenced later artists.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Paul Troger

Artist

Paul Troger

Paul Troger (30 October 1698 – 20 July 1762) was an Austrian painter, draughtsman, and printmaker of the late Baroque period.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.