Artwork
The Martyrdom of the Apostles: St. Bartholomew
The Martyrdom of the Apostles: St. Bartholomew is a print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1632 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1958.440
- Credit line
- James Parmelee Fund
About this work
Overview
Jacques Callot’s etching, The Martyrdom of the Apostles: St. Bartholomew, dates from around 1632 and is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work presents a densely populated composition in which a corpse on a stretcher, towering wooden crosses, and a gathering crowd converge before a columned structure, while ethereal figures hover above the scene.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts the execution of the apostle Bartholomew, a narrative drawn from early Christian martyrdom traditions. The chaotic arrangement of mourners, soldiers, and the fallen saint underscores the violence of the event, while the celestial presences above suggest a spiritual dimension, hinting at the saint’s ascent to the divine realm despite earthly suffering.
Technique & Style
Executed as an etching, Callot employs pronounced chiaroscuro, using deep shadows and stark contrasts to heighten the drama of the tableau. The dense hatching and layered lines create a sense of depth and turbulence, hallmarks of the Baroque aesthetic that favored emotional intensity and theatrical composition.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1632, the print has remained in the public domain of European graphic art and eventually entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings. Its survival in a major American institution reflects the broader 19th‑ and 20th‑century interest in collecting Baroque prints for study and exhibition.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jacques Callot (French: ; c. 1592 – 1635) was a baroque printmaker and draftsman from the Duchy of Lorraine. He is an important person in the development of the old master print. He made more than 1,400 etchings that…
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HOW WILL A COVERED PART BE CORRECTED?HOW WIKA A COVERED HEART DEED CORRECTED?![Christ Walking on the Water [second plate], by Jacques Callot](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/jacques-callot--christ-walking-on-the-water-second-plate--2069f3bfe4cb2126-w320.webp)
Christ Walking on the Water [second plate]
