Artwork
San Carlo Borromeo Giving Last Communion to Victims of the Plague
San Carlo Borromeo Giving Last Communion to Victims of the Plague is an ink print by the Baroque artist Carlo Innocenzo Carlone. It dates from 1724 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:upper left in plate: S. Carolus; upper right in plate: Sss. B. Boromaeus; lower left in plate? C. Carlone inv: et fecit; lower center in plate: Academiae Caesareo Francisceae Negotium et Iohann Dan: Herz excutid, Aug: Vind: / Cum Gratia et Priv. S. Caes Majest; by later hand, lower left verso in graphite: (not deciphered); by later hand, lower center verso in graphite: S. Carlo Borommeo
About this work
Overview
San Carlo Borromeo Giving Last Communion to Victims of the Plague is a circa 1724 etching on laid paper by Carlo Innocenzo Carlone, depicting a dramatic scene of religious devotion amidst turmoil.
Subject & Meaning
The etching illustrates Saint Carlo Borromeo administering last rites to plague victims, conveying a sense of urgent spiritual care amidst a catastrophic event. The composition emphasizes the yearning for divine comfort, with figures straining towards the saint and heavenly angels hovering above.
Technique & Style
Carlone employed expressive, rough etching lines to create a chaotic, emotionally charged atmosphere. The crowded, dynamic scene, with its strong sense of movement and intense facial expressions, aligns with the dramatic storytelling characteristic of Baroque art.
History & Provenance
Created around 1724, the etching's provenance details are not specified here, though its style and subject matter reflect the religious and artistic preoccupations of its time.
Context
The work reflects the Baroque period's emphasis on engaging, emotionally intense art. Such pieces were often designed to evoke strong feelings in viewers, drawing them into the depicted drama. The subject also touches on the historical reality of plague outbreaks in Europe, which frequently inspired artworks focusing on faith and suffering.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
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