Faith and Charity

Gabriel Huquier

1734

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque 18th Century Allegory

About this work

This print shows two women sitting under a curved arch made of twisting vines and leaves. One woman holds a baby, while the other looks down, resting her hand on a book. Around them, small figures climb the vines, and the whole scene is framed by ornate scrollwork at the top and bottom. The empty space above the arch makes the women feel like they’re part of a larger, unseen world. The artist used shading to give the figures and plants depth, making them look almost three-dimensional. If you like this style, check out etching to see how artists create detailed prints like this one.