Abdon and Sennen carrying the early Christian martyrs off for burial
Arnold van Westerhout|Guillaume Courtois, 1650–60
About this artwork
In the grand tradition of 17th-century Baroque art *Abdon and Sennen Carrying the Early Christian Martyrs for Burial* (1650–60) is a poignant etching by Guillaume Courtois, with Arnold van Westerhout likely contributing to its masterful execution. Courtois, a Dutch-Italian painter known for his dramatic history scenes, captures the solemn devotion of saints Abdon and SennenPersian martyrs from the 3rd who risked their lives to bury fellow Christians during Roman persecutions. This print the era's Counter-Reformation fervor, where vivid depictions of faith and sacrifice inspired piety among viewers. Etching, the medium here, allowed for intricate line work and tonal depth on a copper plate, bitten by acid to create expressive textures. Measuring about 12 inches square, its trimmed sheet preserves the intensity of the composition, highlighting muscular figures and shadowed forms typical of Baroque dynamism. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, thanks to The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, this work exemplifies how prints democratized grand religious narratives, making sacred history accessible beyond oil paintings. A testament to resilience, the scene reminds us of early Christianity's underground heroism, rendered with emotional power that still resonates today.