Martelaarschap van de Heilige Bartholomeus 1632 - 1675

"Martelaarschap van de Heilige Bartholomeus" (Martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew) is an etching by Jean Couvay, a prominent 17th-century Dutch artist. This detailed print, housed in the Rijksmuseum, depicts the brutal execution of the apostle Bartholomew, who is shown being flayed alive. The scene is filled with dramatic tension as the executioners surround their victim. Above the scene, a cherub descends bearing a crown, symbolizing Bartholomew's eventual ascension to heaven. The meticulous detail and stark realism of the image are typical of Couvay's artistic style. This artwork is a powerful representation of the suffering of a Christian martyr and a testament to the artist's ability to capture both the brutality and the spiritual significance of the event.