Four Biblical scenes: the main mysteries of the Old and New Testaments (Les principaux mystères de l'ancien et du nouveau testament)

Art Historical Context

Welcome to the Metropolitan Museum of's Drawings and Prints department, where you'll find *Four Biblical Scenes: The Mysteries of the Old and Testaments* (Les principaux mystères de'ancien et du nouveau testament a delicate set of etchings created between 1680 and 1728. Attributed to French Baroque master Antoine Coypel, a leading painter under Louis XIV known for his grand history scenes and theatrical compositions, and engraver Charles Simmone, this work captures key episodes from both Testaments in four intimate plates, each measuring just 1⅝ × 3 inches. Etching, the medium here, allowed for intricate lines and tonal depth by biting acid into a metal plate—a technique that democratized elaborate designs for wider audiences during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Coypel's fluid, dramatic style reflects the opulent Baroque era, blending religious devotion with artistic virtuosity amid France's Catholic revival. These tiny yet powerful prints, on a sheet of about 5½ × 7¼ inches, highlight the "mysteries" central to Christian theology, inviting contemplation of divine narratives. Acquired through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund in 1917, this gem showcases how printmaking preserved and disseminated sacred imagery, bridging elite patronage and popular piety in an age of absolutist splendor. A perfect study in miniature grandeur!

About the Artist

Antoine Coypel|Charles Simmoneau · 1661–1722

Comment on works: History