St. Nicolas Praying for a Dying Man 1600 - 1688

Claude Mellan's "St. Nicolas Praying for a Dying Man" is a striking etching depicting the saint, clad in a simple robe, raising his hands in prayer towards heaven. The scene unfolds at the bedside of a dying man, whose head is cradled by a winged angel. Another angel, aloft in the clouds, holds a ribbon that reads "Nicolas la priere est exaucee" (Nicholas's prayer is heard). The detailed hatching and chiaroscuro create a dramatic and emotional atmosphere, highlighting the contrast between the saint's faith and the man's imminent demise. The artwork is a poignant testament to the power of faith and the universality of human suffering.