Profeet Zacharia 1606 - 1609

Raffaello Schiaminossi created this print of the Prophet Zechariah at the turn of the 17th century. Schiaminossi made many prints after works by other artists, but this is his own original composition. Prints like this one were part of a booming industry. The relatively low cost of prints made art more available to a wider audience. This print comes from a series of twelve prophets. It is likely that these would have been acquired individually or as a set by collectors with an interest in religious subjects. During the period in which Schiaminossi was working, there was an increased demand for clear, legible imagery due to reforms within the Catholic Church that promoted more direct engagement with sacred figures. This print embodies those values: the figure is simply drawn, clearly labeled, and powerfully expressive. Historical archives help us understand Schiaminossi’s artistic choices and how his work engaged with the religious and cultural concerns of his time.