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Saint Alexis

Claude Mellan

1649

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque Religious

Dominant colour

Saint Alexis is a 1649 ink by Claude Mellan, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Claude Mellan
When & what style?: 1649 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This engraving shows a man lying on the ground, wrapped in a blanket, with his head resting on a stone. Behind him, a wall holds two framed scenes: one with a group of people and another with a woman in flowing robes. The man looks peaceful, almost asleep, while the background scenes feel busy and dramatic. The artist used fine lines to create shadows and texture, especially in the folds of the blanket and the man’s clothes. This was a common way to build depth in engravings. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this one made detailed prints.