Faith (Fides) from The Virtues (ca. 1559–60, Met-Objekt 1888)
Original title: Faith (Fides) from The Virtues
kurzbeschreibung
Philips Galle made this engraving, Faith (Fides), around 1559–60 as part of his series The Virtues. It shows a female figure preaching from a Bible in a Gothic church interior, surrounded by listeners. The present sheet is the second of two states.
Description
A Gothic church interior with columns, arches and an altar topped by a crucifix sets the stage. Up front, a central figure holds a Bible and preaches; around her, a group of conventionally draped people look up at her. On the left, other figures can be seen in conversation. The image stays monochrome with even lighting and no strong shadows, as is typical of an engraving. The detailed style recalls sixteenth-century Flemish painting.
Context
Philips Galle (1537–1612), a Netherlandish engraver and publisher, worked in Antwerp and Haarlem. He created The Virtues series around 1559–60, presumably after designs by Maarten van Heemskerck, with whom he often collaborated. Virtues as allegorical figures were a common subject in sixteenth-century printmaking, meant to convey moral and theological ideals. In the second state of the print, revisions or additions may have been made compared with the first version.
Impact
A clear layout and the calm, dignified posture of the personification of Faith define this engraving. The Gothic architecture gives the scene a solemn, sacred mood that supports the message of the sermon. Finely graduated lines and balanced lighting create a harmonious, almost contemplative atmosphere.
Technique
Engraving is an intaglio process: lines are cut into a copper plate, which is then filled with ink and printed on paper. This method allows very fine and precise linework, visible here in the richly detailed garments and architecture. The present sheet is the second state of the print—the plate was reworked after the first printing before further impressions were pulled.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)