Artwork
Saint Francis with the Christ Child
Saint Francis with the Christ Child is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Pietro Faccini. It dates from 1562 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Saint Francis with the Christ Child is a 1562 etching by Pietro Faccini, a Bolognese artist active during the transition from Mannerism to early Baroque. This religious print captures an intimate moment between Saint Francis and the Christ Child.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts Saint Francis kneeling, cradling the Christ Child in his arms, set within a softly lit scene. The child’s halo is subtly rendered, almost imperceptible, emphasizing the intimate, human aspect of the encounter.
Technique & Style
Faccini combined etching (using acid to burn lines into metal) with drypoint (scratching additional texture) to achieve a distinctive, rough, handmade quality. The fine, scratchy lines evoke the precision of a needle’s mark.
History & Provenance
Created in 1562, the etching’s current location is the National Gallery of Art in Washington, where it is part of the collection.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Pietro Faccini or Facini (1562 – 1 April 1602), was an Italian painter, draughtsman and printmaker. He was active near his birthplace of Bologna working in a style bridging Mannerism and the nascent Baroque.
