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, colorful scenes. At the top, a group of people surrounds a central figure on a throne-like chair, with angels and a haloed woman holding a baby. Below, a crowd gathers around a speaker on a platform, with more figures flying or standing in the background. The colors are bright—reds, blues, and oranges—against a light, patterned background. The whole scene looks like it was carved into wood first, then colored by hand. The details are sharp but busy, with lots of movement and symbols. Look up woodcut to see how this printmaking technique works.
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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