The Holy Ghost Descending on the Apostles - Anne Claude de Thubières, comte de Caylus

A chiaroscuro print depicting the Pentecost, based on a drawing by Giovanni Battista Lenardi and executed by the comte de Caylus.

This print depicts the biblical scene of Pentecost, showing the Virgin Mary at the centre surrounded by the Apostles as the Holy Spirit descends upon them in the form of a dove. The work is a collaborative effort, based on a drawing by the Italian artist Giovanni Battista Lenardi, which was held in the collection of Pierre Crozat. The comte de Caylus, a French aristocrat and amateur engraver, executed the etching, while the woodcut elements were produced under the direction of Nicolas le Sueur. This technique, known as chiaroscuro, uses multiple blocks to create tonal variations, allowing for a sophisticated play of light and shadow that defines the figures and the celestial radiance above.

The composition follows a traditional pyramidal structure, with the Virgin Mary positioned as the primary figure. Her upward gaze and crossed arms convey a sense of spiritual receptivity. The surrounding figures exhibit varied reactions, from awe to contemplation, their drapery rendered with fluid lines that suggest movement and weight. The light emanating from the dove at the top of the frame acts as the primary source of illumination, casting soft highlights across the faces and garments of the group below. The sepia-toned palette provides a warm, unified appearance, characteristic of the printmaking techniques favoured by collectors of the period who sought to replicate the aesthetic qualities of master drawings.

As a member of the French nobility, the comte de Caylus was a significant figure in the intellectual circles of the eighteenth century. His involvement in the Recueil Crozat, a major project to document the drawings in the Crozat collection, demonstrates his dedication to the study and dissemination of classical art. This print reflects the technical experimentation common in the era, where printmakers sought to bridge the gap between the spontaneity of a sketch and the permanence of a finished engraving.