Saint Matthias - Zacharias Dolendo

A detailed circular engraving of Saint Matthias by Dutch artist Zacharias Dolendo, featuring the apostle with his traditional sword and book.

This circular engraving by the Dutch artist Zacharias Dolendo depicts Saint Matthias, the apostle chosen to replace Judas Iscariot. The work is executed with the technical precision characteristic of late sixteenth-century printmaking in the Netherlands. Dolendo, who was active in Leiden, demonstrates a mastery of the burin, using varied line weights to define the textures of the saint's robes, the weathered skin of his face, and the metallic surface of the sword he holds.

The composition is contained within a circular frame, a format frequently employed for series of apostles or saints during this period. Saint Matthias is shown in a half-length portrait, his gaze directed towards the viewer. He holds an open book in his left hand, while his right hand rests upon the hilt of a large sword, which serves as his traditional iconographic attribute. The drapery of his garments is rendered with deep, rhythmic folds that suggest volume and weight, typical of the Mannerist influence on Northern European art.

At the base of the circular frame, the inscription 'Gheyn in. et ex.' indicates that the design was created and published by Jacques de Gheyn II, while 'Za. do. sculp.' confirms that Zacharias Dolendo performed the engraving. The number '12' at the bottom suggests this print was part of a larger series, likely a set of the twelve apostles. The clarity of the lines and the balanced distribution of light and shadow provide a clear view of the saint's features, capturing a sense of solemnity and focus. This print offers a glimpse into the collaborative nature of print production in the Dutch Golden Age, where designers and engravers worked in close proximity to produce high-quality devotional imagery for a growing market of collectors and religious institutions.