Who painted The Opening of the Seventh Seal?

The Opening of the Seventh Seal was painted by Jean Duvet in 1551.

Where can I see The Opening of the Seventh Seal?

The Opening of the Seventh Seal is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Opening of the Seventh Seal?

The Opening of the Seventh Seal is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of The Opening of the Seventh Seal?

Museum-quality prints of The Opening of the Seventh Seal are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Opening of the Seventh Seal

Jean Duvet , 1551

The Opening of the Seventh Seal 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 / DV / VET / FAC" recto, on plate, on double-tablet at lower left. "HIST / CAP 8 / APOC" recto, on plate, on plaque at lower center. "3" verso, lower left, graphite, unknown hand. "arllal" verso, lower right margin, graphite, unknown hand.
Markings: Marked:"National Gallery of Art, LJR" verso, lower right margin, stamped black ink.

About this work

Overview

The Opening of the Seventh Seal is an engraving on laid paper created by Jean Duvet in 1555, as part of a series based on the Book of Revelation.

Subject & Meaning

The engraving depicts a scene from the Book of Revelation, with a robed figure holding a scroll at the top, surrounded by floating heads, and a chaotic crowd below, some holding instruments or books, conveying a sense of dramatic movement and intense religious themes.

Technique & Style

Duvet's work is characterized by crowded compositions and a naive quality, with intricate details such as faces in the clouds and tiny hands clutching objects, achieved through the engraving technique of carving lines into metal.

History & Provenance

Jean Duvet, a French goldsmith and engraver active from around 1520 until after 1561, is considered the first significant French printmaker, producing around 73 known plates that showcase his deeply personal and visionary approach to religious subject matter.