Apostel Filippus met boek en kruisstaf 1583

Agostino Carracci created this engraving of Apostel Filippus with book en kruisstaf. In a time where the Catholic Church was trying to reaffirm its spiritual authority, Carracci invokes the figure of Phillip the Apostle. Phillip is shown with a book, symbolising knowledge and wisdom, while holding a crucifix that represents faith and devotion. The fine lines of the engraving give it a very textural feel, almost like a tactile form of devotion. The serene and thoughtful depiction departs from traditional representations of religious figures, who are often depicted in more glorious or triumphant terms. The image of Phillip becomes an intimate encounter that invites personal reflection on faith, knowledge, and the artist's ability to convey these themes through the printmaking medium.