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The Martyrdom of Saint Matthias

Jacques Callot

1634

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque Religious

Dominant colour

The Martyrdom of Saint Matthias is a 1634 ink by Jacques Callot, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Jacques Callot
When & what style?: 1634 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This etching depicts a dramatic scene of Saint Matthias' martyrdom. The saint is shown being stoned to death, with his body contorted in a twisted pose. The scene is set against a backdrop of ancient architecture, with columns and arches visible in the background. A group of people are gathered around the saint, some of whom are shown throwing stones at him. The atmosphere is one of chaos and violence, with the saint's body twisted in a way that conveys his suffering. The use of strong lines and dramatic shading adds to the sense of tension and drama in the scene. The artist's use of light and shadow creates a sense of depth and volume, drawing the viewer's eye into the scene. If you're interested in learning more about the artist behind this etching, you might want to look up Callot, Jacques.