Embarkation of St. Ursula

Embarkation of St. Ursula is a significant etching created by the renowned French artist Claude Lorrain (Claude Gellée) in 1665. Executed late in his career, this print exemplifies Lorrain's mastery of the medium, demonstrating intricate line work and sophisticated control over atmospheric light and shadow, characteristic of the High Baroque era.

The scene depicts the legendary departure of the British princess Ursula and her eleven thousand virgin companions on their pilgrimage to Rome. The composition centers on a bustling harbor, a subject often explored by the artist. Numerous Ships dominate the water, their rigging and masts creating vertical accents against the expansive sky and distant horizon. The foreground is alive with the movement of Men engaged in preparations and loading supplies, while classical and imagined Buildings line the waterfront, serving as a majestic architectural frame for the dramatic event unfolding below.

Although Lorrain is primarily famous for his idealized landscape paintings that defined the paesaggio ideale, he produced approximately 50 etchings throughout his career, often revisiting successful compositional motifs in his graphic work. The visual structure of this piece mirrors elements found in his larger painted depictions of the subject. The work is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, representing a key example of 17th-century French printmaking. Because of the age and enduring artistic quality of the work, high-resolution images and prints of this important piece are often made available through the public domain, allowing wider scholarly access to Lorrain's achievements in the graphic arts.