Christ standing before an entrance to a city surrounded by apostles addressing a group of men at right

Stefano Mulinari, 1756

MEDIUMEtching with sulphur tone printed in brown
DIMENSIONSSheet (Trimmed): 14 in. × 11 13/16 in. (35.6 × 30 cm)
LOCATIONThe Metropolitan Museum of Art
COLLECTIONDrawings and Prints
CREDIT LINEThe Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1951

Stop to appreciate how Stefano Mulinari uses light and shadow to bring this biblical scene to life, emphasizing Christ's presence against a grand city backdrop. The unique sulphur tone technique gives the print a soft, painterly depth, making it feel both ancient and immediate.

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ABOUT THIS WORK

In this dynamic etching, Christ stands at the left, silhouetted against a grand city entrance, his figure commanding attention as he addresses a group of men on the right. His apostles gather around him, their expressions intent. The scene unfolds with a dramatic sense of light and shadow, characteristic of the sulphur tone technique used here, which creates subtle gradations and a rich, painterly effect. Printed in a warm brown ink, the work evokes a sense of antiquity and solemnity. The architecture of the city gate, with its classical arches and imposing scale, frames the sacred encounter, suggesting both the worldly setting and the spiritual significance of the gathering. This print, made around 1756, captures a moment of teaching and dialogue, inviting us to consider the interaction between the divine and the human within a bustling urban landscape.

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What to Notice

1

The way Christ's figure is highlighted against the dark city gate.

2

The expressions of the apostles gathered closely around Christ.

3

The architectural details of the large arched city entrance.

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Audio Deep Dive

Stop to appreciate how Stefano Mulinari uses light and shadow to bring this biblical scene to life, emphasizing Christ's presence against a grand city backdrop…

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THE ARTIST
Stefano Mulinari 1741–1790

Italian engraver who transformed devotional scenes into intimate etchings with aquatint and colored washes.

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