The Pentecost, with the Apostles and the Virgin sitting in a circle, the Holy Spirit appearing above them, and a donor kneeling at left

Art Historical Context

This evocative print captures the biblical moment of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles and the Virgin Mary, filling them with divine inspiration. Seated in a harmonious circle the figures gaze upward as tongues of flame symbolize the Spirit presence above them. A kneeling donor at the left edge reminds viewers of the tradition of private patronage, linking personal devotion with this sacred event. Created between 1729 and 1740 through the combined techniques of etching and engraving, the work reflects the 18th-century practice of reproducing earlier religious compositions for wider audiences. The crisp lines and tonal contrasts typical of these printmaking methods allowed intricate details—such as the flowing drapery and expressive faces—to be faithfully conveyed on paper. Likely derived from a design by the Renaissance painter Gaudenzio Ferrari and executed by engraver Frédéric Horthemels, the print bridges centuries of artistic tradition. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Department of Drawings and Prints, this piece highlights how reproductive prints served both devotional and educational purposes, bringing grand religious narratives into homes and collections across Europe. Its balanced composition and careful craftsmanship continue to invite quiet contemplation of faith, community, and artistic transmission.

About the Artist

Frédéric Horthemels|Gaudenzio Ferrari (Italian|French) · 1591 |1680 –1623 |1738

Italian, Rome (?) 1591/92–1623 Venice|French, 1680/88–1738