Martyrdom of Saint Thaddeus, plate twelve from The Martyrdoms of the Apostles
n.d.
Medium
Etching on paper
Dimensions
7.2 × 4.7 cm (2 7/8 × 1 7/8 in.)
Classification
etching
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
132556
Art Historical Context
Jacques Callot, a masterful French etcher of the Baroque era (1592–1635), created *Martyrdom of Saint Thaddeus*, plate twelve from his series *The Martyrdoms of the Apostles*. This intimate etching on paper, measuring just 7.2 × 4.7 cm, captures the dramatic death of Saint Thaddeus (also known as Jude), one of Christ's apostles, in a scene likely depicting his traditional martyrdom by sawing or stoning. Produced around the early 17th century amid the Counter-Reformation, the series reflected the Catholic Church's emphasis on saints' sacrifices to inspire faith and devotion. Callot's etching t...
About the Artist
Jacques Callot · 1592–1635
Jacques Callot (1592–1635) was a French printmaker and draftsman from the Duchy of Lorraine, widely regarded as one of the first great artists to practice the graphic arts exclusively. His more than 1,400 etchings chronicled the breadth of 17th-century life, from Medici court festivities to the brutal realities of warfare. Callot revolutionized etching through technical innovations including the é...