Martyr with an Angel 

Jacob Matham created this drawing entitled ‘Martyr with an Angel’ using pen and brown ink, with brown wash over black chalk. It's a preparatory study, likely for a print, reflecting the religious fervor of the Counter-Reformation in the Netherlands. The image presents us with a seated martyr, identified by her halo and skull necklace, receiving a dish of fruit from an angel. We see Matham, an accomplished printmaker, employing a range of techniques to convey the textures of fabric, skin, and even the angel’s feathery wings. The composition reveals the influence of the Catholic Church at the time. The faithful were encouraged to contemplate the sacrifices of the martyrs in the face of protestant criticisms. To fully understand this work, we might delve into the inventories of print shops and collectors in Haarlem. These sources would reveal how such images circulated and were received. It's a reminder that our understanding of art evolves as we explore its historical and cultural setting.