Saint Lawrence at the Stake (ca. 1700–29)
Original title: Saint Lawrence at the Stake
kurzbeschreibung
Bound in chains on a wooden scaffold, Saint Lawrence is pressed by soldiers in this anonymous etching from around 1700–29. The print is a reduced copy of an earlier engraving and belongs to the tradition of devotional images.
Description
Lawrence stands shackled on a timber framework, soldiers crowding him on all sides. One holds a flame; others approach with tools held in threat. Above the group hovers an angel carrying a figure—perhaps a divine vision granted to the saint. At the rear right, a statue of a man rests on a pedestal. Gray tones, harsh contrasts, and dense linework define the image.
Context
Around 1700–29, engravings and etchings were common means of bringing religious subjects to a wide audience. That this is a reduced copy of an older print points to a reproduction practice typical of the time. The death of Saint Lawrence, a deacon in third-century Rome, was a frequent motif in Catholic art of the Counter-Reformation. With no known author, the sheet likely served as a functional object rather than a work of individual distinction.
Impact
The tight grouping of figures and abrupt contrasts generate tension. The calm statue in the distance stands out against the menacing activity in the foreground, heightening the emotional force of the martyrdom. Precise linework draws the eye to the saint and emphasizes his steadfastness.
Technique
The etching was produced as a reduced copy using engraving or etching techniques. Fine lines and hatching model light and shadow. The execution is precise and consistent with eighteenth-century printmaking.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)