Saint Barbara holding palm leaves with a sword and flowers at her feet, two putti overhead holding a laurel

Art Historical Context

This exquisite print depicts Saint Barbara, a revered Christian martyr from the early 4th century, gracefully with palm fronds—symbols of her martyrdom—in hand, a sword at her side referencing her beheading by her father, and flowers blooming her feet as emblems of purity and divine favor. Above her, two playful putti (cherubic angels) unfurl a laurel wreath evoking triumph and sanctity. Created around 1625–59, it captures the dramatic intensity of the Baroque era, a time when the Catholic Church used vivid religious imagery to inspire devotion during the Counter-Reformation. The work is an etching and engraving by master printmaker Schelte Adams à Bolswert after a design by Peter Paul Rubens, the Flemish Baroque genius known for his swirling compositions, lush figures, and emotional depth. As the first state of two, this rare early version preserves the artists' original vision before any revisions, showcasing meticulous line work that mimics Rubens' oil paintings' vitality. Prints like this allowed Rubens' grandeur to reach wider audiences across Europe, democratizing high art. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, this 13 7/16 × 9 1/2 in. sheet exemplifies how collaborative printmaking elevated saintly iconography, blending technical precision with spiritual fervor for lasting cultural resonance.

About the Artist

Schelte Adams à Bolswert|Peter Paul Rubens (Flemish|Dutch) · 1577 |1581 –1640 |1659

Flemish, Siegen 1577–1640 Antwerp|Dutch, Bolsward 1581–1659 Antwerp