Christus, Maria en de apostelen

About this artwork

height 524 mm x width 380 mm

Art Historical Context

Antonio Tempesta's *Christus, Maria en apostelen* (Christ Mary and the Apostles) is a striking etching from the artist's prolific career, spanning roughly 1565–1630. Tempesta, a Florentine-born master printmaker active in Rome, specialized in intricate biblical scenes that brought sacred narratives to life for a wide audience. This work likely captures a pivotal New Testament moment—perhaps the Pentecost or Ascension—gathering Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the apostles a composition rich with devotional fervor, reflecting the Counter-Reformation's emphasis on visual piety in late 16th- and earl...

About the Artist

Antonio Tempesta · 1555–1630

Antonio Tempesta (1555–1630), known as 'Il Tempestino,' was a Florentine painter and printmaker whose extraordinary output of approximately 1,700 etchings made him one of the most influential printmakers of the early Baroque period. Born in Florence and trained under Santi di Tito and the Flemish master Joannes Stradanus, he enrolled in the Accademia del Disegno in 1576 before relocating to Rome i...