H. Tatiana 1565 - 1630

"H. Tatiana" is an etching by Italian artist Antonio Tempesta (1555-1630) depicting the martyrdom of Saint Tatiana. This small-scale work, housed in the Rijksmuseum, showcases Tempesta's mastery of detail. The scene is framed within an oval, emphasizing the dramatic action. A central figure, Tatiana, is bound and subjected to torture by executioners, highlighting the brutality of her martyrdom. In the background, a figure is being burned at the stake, adding to the overall sense of suffering. This etching offers a glimpse into the artistic style of the late 16th and early 17th centuries, characterized by its use of hatching and cross-hatching to create texture and depth.