The Martyrdom of St Bartholomew, from The Martyrdom of Christ and the Apostles

Art Historical Context

In the late 16th century, engraver Hendrick Goltzi created *The Martyrdom of. Bartholomew*, part of his series *The Martyr of Christ and the Apostles around 1578. Goltzius, a master of Northern Mannerism, drew from Catholic iconography during the Dutch Reformation, depicting the apostle's gruesome flaying alive—a dramatic symbol of faith's endurance amid persecution. Printed on luxurious ivory laid paper, this (plate 20.8 × 28 cm) captures the intense religious fervor of Counter-Reformation art, making sacred narratives accessible beyond church walls. Goltzius's technical brilliance shines in his innovative engraving style, using bold, swelling lines and intricate cross-hatching to mimic the chiaroscuro effects of oil painting. This "painterly" approach elevated prints from mere reproductions to standalone masterpieces, influencing generations of printmakers. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings Department, it exemplifies how engravings democratized high art, allowing collectors across Europe to own vivid scenes of martyrdom. Visitors will appreciate its visceral energy: Bartholomew's contorted form amid executioners conveys both horror and heroism, inviting reflection on devotion's cost in a turbulent era.

About the Artist

Hendrick Goltzius · 1558–1617

Hendrick Goltzius (1558–1617) was the most celebrated engraver of the Northern Renaissance and a pivotal figure in Dutch Mannerism. Born near the German-Dutch border, Goltzius transformed printmaking into a virtuoso art form through his revolutionary 'swelling line' technique, where the burin was manipulated to create lines of varying thickness that produced unprecedented tonal effects and three-d...