Saint Martin, on horseback, giving his cloak to a beggar, angels overhead

Art Historical Context

This etching depicts the legendary act of charity by Saint Martin of Tours, who, as a young Roman soldier, cuts his cloak in half to share with a freezing beggar. The composition, with angels hovering above, underscores the divine significance of the gesture, a popular subject in Christian art that highlights themes of compassion and humility. Created between 1760 and 1800, the print is associated with Baldassarre Franceschini, known as il Volterrano, a Baroque painter, and Giuliano Traballesi. Rendered in etching—a technique prized in the 18th century for its ability to capture fine lines and tonal depth—this work likely served to disseminate the dramatic scene to a broader audience through affordable prints. Measuring nearly 20 inches tall, the vertical format draws the viewer’s eye upward from the central act of generosity toward the heavenly figures, emphasizing spiritual reward. Now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection, it preserves an 18th-century interpretation of a story that has inspired artists for centuries.