De heilige Franciscus getroost door een musicerende engel

About this artwork

plaatrand: hoogte 310 mm x breedte 242 mm

Art Historical Context

Behold Agostino Carracci's enchanting engraving *De heilige Franciscusroost door een music engel* (Saint Francis Comforted by a-Making Angel), created in 1595. This poignant scene captures a tender moment from the life of Saint Francis of, the beloved 13th-century friar and patron saint of animals and ecology. Here, a celestial angel plays music to soothe the saint, evoking themes of divine consolation and spiritual harmony that resonated deeply in late Renaissance devotion. Carracci, a master engraver and member of the influential Bolognese Carracci family, bridged Mannerism and the emerging Baroque style. Working alongside brothers Annibale and Ludovico, he championed naturalism, emotional depth, and graceful figures inspired by Correggio and Raphael. Produced at the height of Counter-Reformation fervor, this print reflects the era's emphasis on accessible religious imagery to inspire faith among the faithful. Measuring 310 mm high by 242 mm wide, the engraving showcases Carracci's virtuoso technique: intricate line work that conveys texture, light, and serenity with remarkable precision. As a print medium, it democratized art, allowing intricate designs to be reproduced and shared widely across Europe, making sacred stories like this one intimate companions for personal prayer. A gem of 16th-century Italian printmaking!

About the Artist

Agostino Carracci · 1557–1602

Agostino left his profession as a tailor to become an artist. His earliest works were engravings, which was an extremely profitable practice and he was famed for having attained new heights of perfection. He was also a skilled painter and collaborated with his famous relations on various commisions. Comment on works: Religious; Portraits.