1594
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Composite Image Depicting Actions of Henri IV, King of France, upon His Abjuration of the Protestant Faith is a 1594 ink by German 16th Century, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This print is packed with tiny, busy scenes split into three tall sections. On the left, a crowd gathers around a burning stake—people watch as someone is tied to it. The middle shows a church altar with a crucifix, surrounded by a mix of robed figures and armed men. On the right, a chaotic mob drags a man through the streets while others cheer or fight. The text at the bottom hints at a religious shift—someone giving up their old faith for a new one. The artist used sharp lines to cram in every detail, making it feel like a crowded newspaper of the time. Want to see how this kind of detailed print was made? Look up technique: etching.
A German artist from the late 1500s drew lively scenes of knights clashing in parades and mock battles.
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