Baptism, from "The Seven Sacraments" 1754

"Baptism", from "The Seven Sacraments", is an etching created in 1754 by the German artist Johann Anton Riedel. This print, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, depicts the Catholic sacrament of baptism. A priest pours water over an infant held by a woman, possibly the child’s mother, while a man stands behind her. The scene is rendered in fine detail, with intricate patterns on the clothing and realistic facial expressions, highlighting Riedel's masterful handling of etching techniques. This artwork is a valuable example of 18th-century religious art and provides insight into the visual culture and religious practices of the time.