Saint Barbara holding palm leaves with a sword and flowers at her feet, two putti overhead holding a laurel
Original title: Saint Barbara holding palm leaves with a sword and flowers at her feet, two putti overhead holding a laurel
kurzbeschreibung
Unlike comparable devotional prints of the period, this sheet presents Saint Barbara not as a suffering figure but as a steadfast martyr with palm fronds and a sword. Schelte Adams à Bolswert produced the etching and engraving, likely between 1625 and 1659; the first of two states survives. The format measures 34.2 × 24.1 cm. Flowers lie scattered on the ground, while two putti hover above the saint.
Description
In contrast to many portrayals of saints, this motif shows Barbara in calm frontality: she stands in the foreground, wrapped in a long robe with a mantle layered over it. She holds palm leaves and a sword; at her feet lie flowers. Behind her appears a building with a door and a balustrade. Two putti float above her, carrying flowers and a laurel wreath. The layout feels symmetrical, and the diffuse light brings out the contours.
Context
Unlike secular prints of its time, this depiction of a saint is shaped by the veneration of Barbara as a patron against lightning and in mining—a cult widespread in the Baroque era. Schelte Adams à Bolswert, a Flemish engraver, was known for his religious subjects. The sheet was probably made in Antwerp, then a center of printmaking. The survival of only the first of two states points to a later reworking for further editions.
Impact
Unlike dramatic martyrdom scenes, this print conveys a solemn, dignified mood. The symmetrical arrangement and the saint's calm posture contribute to this. Fine lines and the monochrome execution create a clear, precise aesthetic in the Baroque style. Delicate shading and detailed workmanship give the view a particular elegance.
Technique
Unlike pure etchings, this sheet combines etched and engraved lines. The shading is built up through different hatching patterns, as is typical of engraving. It was printed on paper trimmed to the stated format.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)