Saint Anthony of Padua

About this work

This etching shows a man holding a small child, both looking upward as if praying. Around them, angels float in the sky, some holding objects like a book or a cross. The man wears simple clothes and a hat, while the child sits on his lap, reaching toward the light. Below, a small altar holds a candle and a book. The artist used shading to make the figures look three-dimensional, even though it’s just ink on paper. Notice how the lines get darker where the light hits the faces and robes. Next, explore technique: etching to see how artists like Mercati created these rich textures.