Saint Andrew, from The Holy Family and the Twelve Apostles

Art Historical Context

Behold *Saint Andrew, from The Holy Family and the Apostles*, a striking 1742 engraving by Venetian artist Marco Alvise Pitteri. Crafted in black ink paper, this print measures 44.6 ×34.4 cm on the plate, inviting close contemplation of its intricate details. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints Drawings Department, it exemplifies the refined reproductive printmaking of 18th-century Italy. Pitteri, active in Venice during the Rococo era, specialized in engravings that captured the expressive faces and figures of religious subjects. This work is part of a larger series depicting the Holy Family alongside the Twelve Apostles, reflecting the enduring Catholic devotion to these foundational Christian figures. Saint Andrew, traditionally portrayed with his distinctive crossed saltire (X-shaped cross), embodies themes of faith and martyrdom that resonated deeply in Baroque and Rococo religious art. Engraving's intaglio technique—incising fine lines into a metal plate, inking them, and pressing onto paper—allowed Pitteri to achieve remarkable depth, texture, and luminosity in monochrome. Such prints democratized access to sacred imagery, making elaborate compositions affordable for homes and churches across Europe. A testament to technical mastery and spiritual fervor, this piece bridges artistry and devotion.

About the Artist

Marco Alvise Pitteri · 1702–1786

Comment on works: Copper engraver