St. Thomas, from 'Christ, Mary and the Apostles'

Art Historical Context

**St. Thomas, fromChrist, Mary and the*** Antonio Tempesta (Italian, 1555–1630) and Nicolaus Aelst (Flemish, 1526–1613) collaborated on this striking etching in the late 16th century part of a larger series portraying Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the. Tempesta, a prolific Mannerist artist known for his dynamic compositions and biblical scenes, likely designed the image while van Aelst, a skilled engraver and publisher, brought it to life through precise printmaking. This depiction of St. Thomas—one of Jesus's apostles, often called "Doubting Thomas" for questioning the Resurrection—shows him with traditional attributes like a spear, symbolizing his martyrdom. Etching, the medium here, was a revolutionary technique in the Renaissance, using acid to etch fine lines into a metal plate for intricate detail and tonal effects unachievable in earlier woodcuts. Measuring about 20½ x 14⅝ inches on the plate, this print exemplifies the period's emphasis on reproductive art, allowing religious imagery to reach wider audiences amid the Counter-Reformation's push for visual piety. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, 1951), it reflects the era's fusion of Italian design and Northern European craftsmanship, blending spiritual devotion with technical innovation. A testament to collaborative artistry, it invites visitors to ponder St. Thomas's journey from doubt to faith.

About the Artist

Antonio Tempesta|Nicolaus van Aelst · 1555–1630

Antonio Tempesta (1555–1630), known as 'Il Tempestino,' was a Florentine painter and printmaker whose extraordinary output of approximately 1,700 etchings made him one of the most influential printmakers of the early Baroque period. Born in Florence and trained under Santi di Tito and the Flemish master Joannes Stradanus, he enrolled in the Accademia del Disegno in 1576 before relocating to Rome i...