The Apostles Delivered from Prison by an Angel

Philip Galle after Maerten van Heemskerck

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of a group of figures being led by an angel out of an architectural structure. The figures wear classical robes and have halos above their heads. The angel prominently displays wings and gestures with a guiding hand as several other figures follow. The background shows a grand architectural setting with columns and arches. The stone texture and crosshatching illustrate the depth and grandeur of the scene. On either side of the staircase, further figures are present, some seemingly asleep or in a state of repose wearing armor. The image includes text in Latin beneath the scene. This drawing employs careful lines and shading to create depth and texture typical of classical printmaking techniques.