Philip Galle (Dutch 1537-1612) Engraving

Artist: Philip Galle (Dutch 1537-1612).
Title: Beheading of Saint James (1582).
Medium: Engraving on laid paper.
Image Size: Height: 19 cm x Width: 26.5 cm.
Framed Size: Height: 35.5 cm x Width: 43 cm x Depth: 2.5 cm.
Provenance: Private Collection London.
Thence by descent Private Collection Sydney.

About: The 1582 “Beheading of Saint James” engraving by Philip Galle is after the drawing by James Jan van der Straet (Flemish 1523-1605). This dramatic 1582 engraving shows the 44 AD beheading of Saint James who kneels facing an audience of onlookers. James was often referred to along with his brother as Boanergas or Sons of Thunder due to their fiery temper. According to The Acts of the Apostles records, this is the reason that "Herod the King" had James executed by the sword.

Philip Galle was born in Haarlem in the Netherlands and became an engraver of note. He also produced works after Johannes Stradanus, Martin de Vos and Maarten van Heemskerck.