1485
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Saint Bonaventure Arriving and Preaching in Lyon is a 1485 ink by French 15th Century, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image is packed with tiny scenes. At the top, a group of people sits on a throne-like platform, with one person holding a baby. Below them, a crowd gathers under a tent-like structure, while figures on horses and angels with wings surround the edges. The colors are bright but faded—reds, blues, and yellows—all outlined in black. The central circle shows a sun with the letters "IHS," which stands for Christ in early Christian art. The bottom scene looks like a sermon or gathering, with people listening to a speaker. Next, look up woodcut to see how this printmaking technique worked.
This artist hid their best work inside old travel trunks. They glued vivid woodcuts into the lids of wooden boxes meant to be carried on horseback, like secret postcards from God. If you’ve ever pried open a cracked lid…
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