Title page for François de Sales, Introduction à la vie dévote 1641

This 1641 engraving by French artist Claude Mellan (1598-1688) serves as the title page for the book "Introduction à la vie dévote" by François de Sales. The image depicts a woman kneeling in prayer as two angels descend from heaven, surrounded by a beam of light, and offering her a book. The work is characterized by Mellan's intricate and detailed style, often employing a single, continuous line to create his figures and compositions. The engraving exemplifies the Baroque period's fascination with dramatic composition and the use of light to create a sense of awe and wonder. This artwork is currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, NY.