The Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence, after Titian

The most innovative and influential engraver of mid-century, Cort reconciled the emphasis on design and ideal appearance with descriptive variety and the approximation of pictorial effects. In Italy from 1565, he became Titian’s preferred interpreter. The Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence combines elements from two painted versions, the earlier in the church of the Gesuiti at Venice, the later for Philip II of Spain. A measure of success, it was immediately repeated by Cort himself, then copied by another printmaker. The Collection includes very fine impressions of both, and another seven major plates by Cort.