Artwork
The Fall of Euthychus
The Fall of Euthychus is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Philip Galle. It dates from 1574 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Fall of Euthychus is a 1574 engraving by Philip Galle, reproducing a design by Maarten van Heemskerck. It depicts a scene from the New Testament in which a young man named Euthychus falls to his death during a sermon by the apostle Paul.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving shows a crowded room where Paul preaches, holding a child, while Euthychus begins to fall asleep or faint. The scene is set in a dimly lit space with books and strange objects, conveying a sense of a significant event.
Technique & Style
Galle used fine lines to create shadows and depth, giving the figures a three-dimensional appearance. The engraving is characteristic of reproductive prints, which circulated compositions by earlier masters widely.
History & Provenance
The engraving was created in 1574 by Philip Galle, a Dutch publisher and engraver active in Antwerp, who specialized in reproducing works by earlier artists.
Context
The print is part of a period when printmaking was a primary means of disseminating religious and historical imagery across Europe.
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Artist & collection
Artist
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.
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Saint Peter Speaks to the People about Christ
The Vision of Saint Peter
Beheading of Saint James
Saint Paul Shipwrecked on the Island of Melita
The Angel Orders Saint Philip to Accompany the Ethiopian Eunuch
Notorious Examples of Wealth from Antiquity
The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins
