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Saint Helena, Saint Brigitta and Saint Elizabeth

Hans Burgkmair the Elder

1516

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Renaissance Religious

Dominant colour

Saint Helena, Saint Brigitta and Saint Elizabeth is a 1516 ink by Hans Burgkmair the Elder, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Hans Burgkmair the Elder
When & what style?: 1516 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This woodcut shows three women standing close together. The woman in the center holds a cross and looks downward, while the one on the right wears armor and leans on a shield. The woman on the left stands slightly behind, holding a banner with text. Tiny scenes of people and buildings are carved into their clothing and the shield. The banner at the top reads "Drei Gut Kristin," naming the three saints: Helena, Brigitta, and Elsbeta. Their clothing and objects suggest a mix of royalty and faith. Next, look up woodcut to see how artists carved images into wood blocks before printing.