Saint Lawrence at the Stake (ca. 1640–70)
Original title: Saint Lawrence at the Stake
kurzbeschreibung
This engraving by Cornelis Meyssens dates to around 1640–70. It presents the execution of Saint Lawrence: the saint is bound to a wooden framework, surrounded by soldiers. The print is a reverse copy after another model.
Description
Lawrence lies on the wooden structure wearing only a loincloth; a soldier thrusts a burning spit at him. Another soldier kneels in front and looks up at him. More figures appear to the sides, including an angel aiming an arrow at Lawrence and a seated figure on a throne. Smoke and flames run through the image, heightening the tension. The layout is dynamic, with strong perspectives and pronounced postures.
Context
Cornelis Meyssens worked as a Flemish engraver and publisher in Antwerp and later in Vienna. This print is a reverse copy after an engraving by Hieronymus Wierix from around 1600. Such reproductive prints were common in the 17th century to bring well-known compositions to a wider audience. The martyrdom of Saint Lawrence was a favored subject in Catholic art of the Counter-Reformation.
Impact
The crowded arrangement of figures and harsh contrasts of light and dark evoke a sense of immediate danger. The saint's calm bearing stands against the violence around him and underscores the martyrological message. The precise execution invites close looking and following each action.
Technique
For this engraving, lines were incised into a copper plate and then printed. As a reverse copy, the plate was laid out in mirror image to the model, so the impression appears reversed. Shading is achieved through fine cross-hatching and varying line density, which bring out effects of light and smoke.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)