Hemelvaart van Christus en verkiezing van Mattias - Philips Galle

A detailed sixteenth-century engraving by Philips Galle depicting the Ascension of Christ and the selection of Matthias, based on a design by Maarten van Heemskerck.

This engraving by Philips Galle, after a design by Maarten van Heemskerck, depicts two distinct biblical episodes within a single architectural frame. The upper register shows the Ascension of Christ, where the disciples gather in prayer, their figures rendered with the elongated proportions and expressive gestures characteristic of Northern Mannerism. The lower register focuses on the selection of Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot, an event described in the Acts of the Apostles. Galle, a prolific printmaker based in Antwerp, utilised the burin to create a wide range of tonal values. The composition is divided by classical columns, which provide a sense of spatial depth while simultaneously organising the complex narrative. In the background, a cityscape with a fountain and classical buildings suggests a contemporary interpretation of the biblical setting. The figures are arranged in a theatrical manner, with the architecture acting as a stage for the unfolding events. The print includes Latin inscriptions at the base, which provide context for the scenes above. The technical precision of the hatching and cross-hatching demonstrates the high level of craftsmanship associated with the Galle workshop. This work reflects the period's interest in combining classical architectural motifs with religious themes, a common practice among Dutch and Flemish artists of the sixteenth century. The interaction between the foreground figures and the background elements creates a sense of continuity across the narrative space, inviting the viewer to examine the details of the scene, from the expressions of the apostles to the architectural features of the building.