Saint Matthias

About this work

This drawing shows a robed figure holding a long staff with a sharp blade on top. The person’s face is blurred, and they’re standing on a street with buildings and crowds in the background. The lines are rough and busy, giving everything a sense of movement. The artist used a technique that lets ink fill scratched lines, creating dark, textured marks. This was common in the 1600s for detailed prints. Check out the technique: etching to see how artists like Callot made prints like this.