1574
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Arrest of Saint Paul is a 1574 ink by Philip Galle, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a chaotic crowd of people in the middle of a struggle. Some are on the ground, others stand with weapons or stretch out their hands. A few figures in the back seem to be watching or cheering, while one person in the center looks like they’re being grabbed. The scene is packed with movement, with arms, legs, and clothing all tangled together. Notice how the artist used tiny lines to create shadows and texture—this helps show the weight and emotion in each face and body. The Latin text at the bottom gives a hint about the story, but the action is what really draws you in. Want to see more like this? Try looking up engraving.
Philip (or Philips) Galle (1537 – March 1612) was a Dutch publisher, best known for publishing old master prints, which he also produced as designer and engraver. He is especially known for his reproductive engravings of paintings.
See the richer artist page
