1530
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Martyrdom of Saints Peter and Paul is a 1530 ink by Antonio da Trento, a Renaissance work, depicting Aeneas, held at National Gallery of Art.
This print shows Saints Peter and Paul kneeling as Roman soldiers prepare to kill them. A man digs a hole for Peter’s upside-down cross. Paul waits with his neck on the chopping block. Antonio da Trento used a rare three-block woodcut technique. He layered ochre ink to build shadows and highlights. The dark and light contrast makes the scene feel urgent. See how he balanced drama and calm. Look up chiaroscuro woodcut to find other artists who tried this tricky method.
Antonio da Trento (1508–1550) was an Italian printmaker, born in Trento. He specialized in chiaroscuro woodcuts, especially of religious subjects. Da Trento probably first learned wood engraving from Ugo da Carpi. He…
See the richer artist page![The Martyrdom of Saints Peter and Paul [recto]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/a51e90060085a207/thumb.webp)
