The Descent of the Holy Spirit

The Descent of the Holy Spirit

Domenico Campagnola

1518

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This engraving shows a group of people gathered closely together. At the center, a woman in a long dress stands out, with her hands folded. Above them, a bright light shines down, and a dove hovers near the top—like a beam of light breaking through. The people around her look upward, some with hands raised or open, as if waiting or praying. The artist used fine lines to create shadows and texture, especially on the clothing and faces. This technique makes the scene feel busy but also gives each person a sense of weight and presence. Next, check out how engraving works to see how artists like this one used lines to build depth.

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