Who painted The Way of Salvation?

The Way of Salvation was painted by German 15th Century in 1490.

Where can I see The Way of Salvation?

The Way of Salvation is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Way of Salvation?

The Way of Salvation is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

The Way of Salvation

German 15th Century , 1490

The Way of Salvation is an ink print by the Renaissance artist German 15th Century. It dates from 1490 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:at center, on separate banderoles in front of mountain (from bottom to top), in block: globen (faith) / miltikait (generosity) / Beschaidenhait (modesty) / Stetikait (constancy) / Gerechtikait (justice) / Stercke (strength) / Willhait (will) / Messikait (modesty) / Gedultikait (patience) / gehorsamkait (obedience) / Demutikait (humility) / getliche lieb (divine love) at left, on banderole, in block: Die welt fred vnd lust mustu lon vnd in allem vntrost von vssen vn[d] innen stäteclichen festeclichen ain vnverzagt mans hertz hon (The way to spiritual life calls for the renunciation of earthly pleasures and an undaunted "manly [valiant] heart" to face the wretchedness that threatens from within and without); at lower center, on banderole, in block: Allain sunden vnd vn tugenden mustu creffticlichen wider ston. vnd alle tugend hon Vnd gewalticlich durch distel vnd dorn gon so magstu mit freden by mier vff dem berg ston (You must powerfully resist all sin and vice, possess every virtue, and proceed mightily through thistles and thorns, then you may joyfully stand with me at the top of the mountain); at bottom center, on banderole, in block: Allain liplich gemach vnd vnd trost von innen vnd vssen mustu gancz miden Vnd min rut vnd gaisel villiclich. frelich vnd stäticlich geren liden (You must avoid all inner and external comforts and pleasures and instead bear switch and scourge happily and steadfastly) at bottom right, on banderole, in block: ihesus [translations from Parshall, Peter, and Rainer Schoch. _Origins of European Printmaking: Fifteenth-Century Woodcuts and Their Public._ Washington, DC: National Gallery of Art, 2005, p. 290-291.]

About this work

Overview

The Way of Salvation is a hand-colored woodcut print that combines natural imagery with written text to convey a religious message.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a tree growing from a red block inscribed with German words related to faith, surrounded by flowers, birds, and an angel holding a banner. The tree's roots entwine a scroll with additional text, symbolizing the connection between nature and spiritual concepts.

Technique & Style

Created using the woodcut technique, the print was colored by hand in various hues. The style, which blends natural and textual elements, was commonly used in religious art to convey complex ideas in an accessible manner.