H. Prisca 1565 - 1630

"H. Prisca" is an etching by Antonio Tempesta, a prominent Italian artist of the late Renaissance. This small work, housed at the Rijksmuseum, depicts the martyrdom of Saint Prisca, a Christian woman tortured and killed in the 2nd century. The scene, set within an elaborate oval frame, shows Prisca tied to a wooden rack while executioners prepare to torture her with hooks. The etching's detailed rendering of the scene and the dramatic expressions of the figures make it a powerful example of Tempesta's skill as a printmaker. This work is a valuable testament to the popularity of martyrdom scenes in the 16th and 17th centuries.