The Lamentation with Saint Francis and Two Angels
Original title: The Lamentation with Saint Francis and Two Angels
kurzbeschreibung
Paulus Pontius made this engraving in the early to mid-17th century. It shows the Lamentation of Christ: his body lies on a table, surrounded by mourners, including Saint Francis and two angels. The print measures 48.8 × 38 cm.
Description
Christ rests on a table, anchoring the arrangement. A kneeling man, likely an apostle, touches his face, while a woman kneels at his feet and holds them. Two angels appear: one with an arrow, the other with a sword. Other mourners stand around them. The setting is a cave with trees and plants. The layout feels symmetrical, and the figures show a detailed range of emotions.
Context
Paulus Pontius was a Flemish engraver who worked in Antwerp in the 17th century. He often engraved after designs by Peter Paul Rubens and other artists. The theme of the Lamentation with Saint Francis and two angels aligns with the Catholic Counter-Reformation, which emphasized emotional piety. A specific model cannot be securely identified, but the style is Baroque.
Impact
The absence of colour and the subdued light evoke a wistful, sorrowful mood. The symmetrical arrangement and precise facial expressions draw the eye to Christ's suffering at the centre. A strong emotional impact unfolds.
Technique
For this engraving, the image is incised into a copper plate and then printed. The lines are fine and precise, bringing out details of the figures and surroundings. The monochrome palette is typical of this printing method.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)