H. Agrippina 1565 - 1630

Curator: So here we have "H. Agrippina," an intriguing print created between 1565 and 1630 by Antonio Tempesta. It's currently held in the Rijksmuseum. It’s an engraving using an intaglio technique. Editor: Oof, it feels stark, doesn't it? That sharp line work—so precise—almost clinical. It lends this incredibly sad and heavy atmosphere. What is happening here? Curator: Agrippina, a Roman Saint, is being carried, presumably after her martyrdom. You see two men, laborers, carrying her on a makeshift stretcher. There's an air of resignation about them. Editor: The composition is really fascinating. The ornate frame is this sort of beautiful cage... and look at the tension between the rigid lines of the wooden structure they use for carrying her against the flow of the saint's body—the stark contrast, I suppose. Curator: Indeed. Tempesta masterfully plays with contrasts. Look closely at how he renders light and shadow—that intense cross-hatching creates depth, drama, and gives real weight to the figures. The baroque influence is evident here. Editor: The subject is obviously grim but her facial expression seems really peaceful... resigned to her fate maybe? And even that ornamental frame softens the impact somewhat. Do you think this almost romanticises the act of religious violence? Curator: It certainly doesn't shy away from the drama. Though her martyrdom is softened with beauty, it still captures her spirit of endurance in the face of her own demise. It's as if Tempesta is seeking to explore the spiritual conviction that leads to martyrdom. The Italian Renaissance preoccupation with classical forms and stoic virtue really shines here. Editor: It’s so economical, this piece; with just lines and shapes. You could argue this restraint even magnifies its potency. Makes you ponder on how suffering has been viewed throughout history. I definitely feel changed. Curator: Yes, it stays with you. Tempesta's “H. Agrippina” offers us more than a historical scene, it's a contemplation of belief, sacrifice, and the artistic power to render something both horrific and beautiful. A piece with the capability to resonate across centuries.