Lucia Plucking Out Her Eyes - Zacharias Dolendo

A detailed Dutch engraving from the late sixteenth century depicting the dramatic narrative of Saint Lucia.

This engraving by Zacharias Dolendo depicts the dramatic narrative of Saint Lucia, who chooses to blind herself to preserve her virtue against a persistent suitor. The composition follows the conventions of Northern Mannerism, characterised by elongated figures, theatrical gestures, and a focus on moralising subject matter. Dolendo employs precise, fine-line hatching to define the textures of the drapery, the architectural interior, and the expressions of the figures.

The scene is set within a domestic space, featuring a four-poster bed and a table with a chalice. The suitor, dressed in exoticised attire with a turban and sword, reaches out towards Lucia in a gesture of surprise or confrontation. Lucia stands opposite him, her hand raised to her face as she performs the act of self-mutilation. The background includes a secondary figure in a doorway, adding a sense of depth and narrative complexity to the composition. The inclusion of Dutch text at the base of the print provides context for the viewer, explaining the motivation behind Lucia's extreme action.

Dolendo was a skilled engraver active in Leiden, often working after designs by other artists of the period. His work reflects the technical proficiency common among Dutch printmakers of the late sixteenth century. The print demonstrates a clear interest in human anatomy and spatial perspective, typical of the period's artistic training. The monochromatic nature of the engraving allows the viewer to focus on the interplay of light and shadow across the surfaces of the room and the clothing of the protagonists. This piece serves as a record of the period's fascination with hagiography and the dramatic potential of historical narratives in print form.