An apostle seen in profile facing right, holding an open book, in an oval frame, from Christ, the Virgin, and Thirteen Apostles

Art Historical Context

This delicate etching captures an apostle in profile, his serene gaze directed rightward as he holds an open book, all enclosed within an elegant oval frame. Created between 1600 and 1640 and attributed to the circle of Guido Reni, the work belongs to a series depicting Christ, the Virgin, and the Thirteen Apostles. Though the artist remains anonymous, the refined contours and balanced composition reflect the graceful manner associated with Reni’s Bolognese Baroque style. Etchings like this one played a vital role in 17th-century Europe, allowing religious imagery to reach wider audiences beyond painted altarpieces. The intimate scale—just four inches tall—made the print ideal for private devotion or inclusion in collectors’ albums. Its crisp lines and subtle tonal contrasts demonstrate the medium’s capacity for both clarity and expressive depth. Today housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the print offers a quiet window into Counter-Reformation spirituality, where each apostle’s attribute, here the book symbolizing teaching and scripture, reinforced faith for viewers of the time.