The Apostles Looking at Christ and the Virgin in a Glory of Angels (bottom right plate) 1546

This 1546 engraving by Léon Davent depicts a scene from the New Testament, in which the Apostles look up in wonder towards Christ and the Virgin Mary surrounded by angels. The work is a fine example of the use of light and shadow, which gives the figures a sense of depth and dimension. The piece, which is part of a series of engravings, is currently on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. It was created during the short but productive career of Davent, a French artist who lived from 1540-1556. This detailed engraving demonstrates Davent's mastery of the artistic medium, as well as his ability to capture the emotion and drama of a biblical scene.