Saint Barbara, Seated Before her Tower
Medium
Etching, drypoint, and soft-ground etching
Dimensions
Image: 12 1/4 in. × 7 in. (31.1 × 17.8 cm) Sheet: 16 in. × 11 1/4 in. (40.6 × 28.6 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, PECO Foundation Gift, 2022
Accession Number
2022.3
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
Behold *Saint Barbara, Seated her Tower*, a captivating 1769 etching by Dutch artist Cornelis van Noorde, inspired by the meticulous style of Early Netherlandish master Jan van Eyck. Saint Barbara, a 4th-century Christian martyr, is iconically shown with her towering attribute—a symbol of the prison tower where her pagan father imprisoned her for her faith. Van Noorde's reproduction revives Eyck's Renaissance precision, blending reverence for medieval saints with 18th-century interest in historical art. Crafted using etching, drypoint, and innovative soft-ground etching, this print (image 12¼ × 7 in.) showcases van Noorde's technical virtuosity. Drypoint adds velvety lines for texture, while soft-ground captures subtle tones, mimicking Eyck's oil glazes. As a print from The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (acquired 2022 via PECO Foundation), it democratized access to rare masterpieces, bridging centuries for collectors and scholars. This work highlights women's roles in hagiography, with Barbara's poised figure embodying resilience amid persecution. A gem for visitors, it invites reflection on faith, artistry, and the enduring power of saintly icons.
About the Artist
Cornelis van Noorde|Jan van Eyck · 1731–1795
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