Artwork

Henry Garnett, His Face in the Miraculous Corn Straw

Henry Garnett, His Face in the Miraculous Corn Straw, by Unknown 19th Century, ink, 1850
Henry Garnett, His Face in the Miraculous Corn Straw, by Unknown 19th Century, ink, 1850

Henry Garnett, His Face in the Miraculous Corn Straw is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Unknown 19th Century. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Henry Garnett, His Face in the Miraculous Corn Straw is a circular engraving print featuring a central face surrounded by symbolic elements, including a corn stalk and the monogram 'IHS', with intricate details achieved through cross-hatching.

Subject & Meaning

The engraving depicts a face at its core, symbolically intertwined with a corn stalk and the 'IHS' monogram (often associated with Jesus Christ). The face, seemingly luminous, may imply a divine or mystical connection, while the corn could represent abundance or a miraculous element as suggested by the title.

Technique & Style

The artwork showcases the artist's proficiency in cross-hatching, a technique employing closely spaced parallel lines and shading to create depth and shadows. This method lends the image its detailed, high-contrast appearance, particularly noticeable in the face and the sharp, upright leaves of the corn stalk.

History & Provenance

Unfortunately, specific historical and provenance details about 'Henry Garnett, His Face in the Miraculous Corn Straw' are not provided in the given information, leaving the exact date, the artist's background, and ownership history unclear.

Context

Given the religious symbolism ('IHS') and the miraculous theme, the engraving likely belongs to a religious or devotional art context. The use of cross-hatching suggests a period when this technique was prevalent, though without a date, precise contextualization is challenging.

Legacy

The legacy of this specific engraving is not detailed in the provided facts. However, its use of cross-hatching reflects a broader artistic tradition influential in the development of printmaking and shading techniques in Western art.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.