The Apostles baptising in Jerusalem. From: The Acts of the Apostles, plate 4.

The <em>Acts from the Apostles </em>series of engravings is almost certainly based on drawings by Marten (Maerten) van Heemskerck, and dates from the year after his death in 1574. Van Heemskerck, one of the leading artists of his century in Haarlem, was one of the first Netherlandish artists to make drawings specifically for reproduction by commercial printmakers such as we see here. He adopted a technique of cross-hatchings and stippling to assist the engraver.

The engraver was a leading figure in his field as well, who excelled in reproducing works in other mediums. Philip (Philips) Galle was also a major publisher.While he collaborated in his native Haarlem with van Heemskerck, to avoid the siege of that city in the early stages of the Eighty Years' War, he moved to Antwerp (c. 1569-70), where his family business continued through the 17th century.

This engraving is plate 4 from a series of 34 plates depicting the New Testament book of Acts. It shows the dramatic effects of Peter's (and fellow apostles') message to the people of Jerusalem, exhorting them to repent and convert to Christianity and is inspired by Acts 2:41-44: 'Those who accepted his message were baptised, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common.'

  Peter is the central middle ground figure, shown the act of preaching. The baptisms are performed in the foreground by St John and St Philip. Hovering over the composition are the dove and divine light of the Holy Spirit. See also Plate 10 from the same series, <em>St Peter, St John and St Philip Laying Their Hands on the Baptised at Samaria </em><strong>(</strong>1970-0030-9).   Mark Stocker, Curator Historical International Art                           December 2016