Saint Jodocus

Saint Jodocus

Leonhard Beck

1517

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This woodcut shows a robed figure holding a cross and a staff, standing in front of a walled city with towers. The person has a halo and a small child at their feet, while a shield with a coat of arms sits on a pedestal to the right. The background includes buildings and trees, with clouds and a faint sunburst above the figure’s head. The artist used sharp lines and simple shapes to create a clear, symbolic image. This style was common in woodcuts, where the design had to work well when carved into wood. Next, look up woodcut to see how this printmaking technique works.

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