Artwork
The Angel in the Sun Calling the Birds of Prey
The Angel in the Sun Calling the Birds of Prey is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Jean Duvet. It dates from 1551 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:"IOHA / NNES / DVVET / FAC" recto, on plate, on flag at upper left. "HIST / CAP 19 / APOC" recto, on plate, on plaque at upper center. "14296" verso, lower left, graphite, unknown hand.
- Markings
- Marked:"National Gallery of Art" verso, lower left, black stamped ink. "LJR" verso, lower left, black stamped ink.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1551, The Angel in the Sun Calling the Birds of Prey is an engraving executed on laid paper by French artist Jean Duvet. The work presents a densely packed, black‑and‑white composition in which a winged figure dominates the upper register, while a tumult of intertwined figures fills the lower space, generating a sense of vigorous movement and tension.
Subject & Meaning
The central angel, clutching a banner, appears to summon predatory birds, a motif linked to the biblical phrase “Hist cap 19 Apoc,” suggesting a reference to the Apocalypse. The surrounding crowd, caught in tangled gestures, may symbolize humanity’s struggle with divine judgment, reflecting Duvet’s preoccupation with intense religious narratives and the moral urgency of his era.
Technique & Style
Duvet employs fine cross‑hatching and bold line work to render deep shadows and intricate textures, giving the image a layered, almost sculptural quality. The engraving’s composition is crowded and dynamic, characteristic of Duvet’s somewhat naïve aesthetic, yet it conveys a remarkable immediacy that sets it apart from the more restrained prints typical of the Renaissance.
History & Provenance
Jean Duvet, recognized as the first major French printmaker, produced roughly 73 plates during his career, many of which explore fervent spiritual themes. This particular print, like much of his output, demonstrates the expressive freedom later associated with artists such as William Blake, highlighting Duvet’s role in expanding the possibilities of engraving in 16th‑century France.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Jean Duvet (1485 – after 1562) was a French Renaissance goldsmith and engraver, now best known for his engravings.
Saint John Sees the Four Horsemen
The Angel Sounding the Sixth Trumpet
The Angel Gives Saint John the Book to Eat
The Apocalpse: St. John Summoned to Heaven
The Apocalypse: The Angel in the Sun Calling the Birds of Prey
The Apocalypse: St. John Summoned to Heaven
The Apocalypse: St. John Sees the Four Riders