Saint Paul holding a sword, in an oval frame, from Christ, the Virgin, and Thirteen Apostles

Art Historical Context

This intimate etching portrays Saint Paul holding a sword, his traditional attribute symbolizing both his martyrdom and his role as a defender of the faith. Created between 1600 and 1640 and attributed to the circle of Guido Reni or an anonymous 17th-century artist working in his style, the print forms part of a larger devotional series depicting Christ, the Virgin, and the Thirteen Apostles. The oval framing device and delicate etched lines reflect the refined printmaking techniques popular in Baroque Italy, where such small-scale works were often collected for private prayer or study. Measuring just four inches tall, the sheet demonstrates how prints allowed wide circulation of religious imagery beyond the reach of paintings. The addition of pen-and-ink framing lines suggests it may have been prepared for an album or collector’s portfolio. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum in 1926 through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, the work preserves the elegant, classical figure style associated with Reni while offering modern viewers a glimpse into the intimate devotional art of the period.