An Angel and a Soldier Inscribe Stone Slabs 1624 - 1636

Claude Mellan's "An Angel and a Soldier Inscribe Stone Slabs" (1624-1636) is a detailed engraving depicting a celestial scene. The piece features an angel and a soldier each meticulously carving inscriptions on stone slabs. The angel, with wings outstretched, holds a flaming arrow in one hand, while the soldier, kneeling, uses a chisel. The inscription on the angel’s slab reads "Lex Angelorum, Timor in Mortem" (The law of angels, fear unto death), while the soldier's reads "Lex Timoris in Morte" (Law of fear in death). The dramatic lighting and detailed textures create a striking contrast between the spiritual and the earthly, showcasing Mellan's mastery of this artistic technique.