Saint John Summoned to Heaven

About this work

This engraving is packed with tiny, detailed figures and scenes. At the center, a robed man with a halo floats upward, held by clouds and angels. Below him, other figures—some kneeling, some reaching up—fill the space with dramatic gestures. Buildings, trees, and even a cityscape peek through the crowd, all drawn with sharp lines and deep shadows. Notice how the artist uses layers of lines to create depth—this is called cross-hatching. The busy scene tells a story, but the focus stays on the floating figure’s journey. Check out how cross-hatching works to see how artists build shadows with lines.