Artwork

Et vidi alium angelum fortem... (The Angel of the Apocalypse Appearing to Saint John)

Et vidi alium angelum fortem... (The Angel of the Apocalypse Appearing to Saint John) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Luigi Sabatelli I. It dates from 1810 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower right in plate: Luigi Sabatellil inv. ed inc. Milan; lower center in plate: Et vidi alium angelum fortem... / ... Et abii ad Angelum, ut claret mihi librum. Apoc. L.X.

About this work

Overview

Luigi Sabatelli I's 1810 etching, Et vidi alium angelum fortem..., depicts a pivotal religious scene from the Apocalypse, rendered in black and white.

Subject & Meaning

The print illustrates the Angel of the Apocalypse appearing to Saint John. A muscular angel, with expansive wings, stands on a rocky coastline, gesturing upward. Before him, a bearded figure, identified as Saint John, kneels in devout prayer, hands clasped. The composition conveys a moment of profound revelation.

Technique & Style

Sabatelli employed etching techniques to achieve detailed, three-dimensional forms. Strategic shading enhances the sculptural quality of the figures, while expressive lines capture the dynamic movement of swirling clouds and crashing waves, emphasizing the scene's dramatic intensity.

History & Provenance

Created in 1810, specific details regarding the etching's commission, original audience, or subsequent ownership history are not provided in the available information.

Context

This work reflects Sabatelli's engagement with religious themes common in early 19th-century European art. The choice of subject from the Apocalypse suggests an interest in depicting powerful, spiritually charged moments.

Legacy

The etching's impact on subsequent artistic works or its reception over time is not detailed in the provided sources, indicating a need for further research to assess its broader influence.