Artwork
Christ and His Disciples V
Christ and His Disciples V is an ink print by the Renaissance artist German 16th Century. It dates from 1550 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Christ and His Disciples V is a woodcut print composed of five vertically aligned panels that resemble a series of arches. Each panel is carved from a single block of wood and depicts figures in flowing robes, some bearing swords, books, or staffs, with occasional halos and architectural or cloud motifs in the background.
Subject & Meaning
The scenes portray Christ alongside his disciples engaged in various actions, suggesting narrative moments from the New Testament. The presence of swords and books hints at themes of spiritual warfare and teaching, while the haloed figure emphasizes the divine authority of Christ within the composition.
Technique & Style
Created by incising the image into a wood block, the artist applied ink to the raised surfaces and pressed paper onto it, a standard woodcut method of the early sixteenth century. The print is marked by crisp, linear carving and intricate decorative patterns that fill the background, giving the work a highly detailed, ornamental quality.
History & Provenance
Woodcut prints like this were widely produced in the 1500s to disseminate religious imagery quickly and affordably. While the specific origin of this block and its subsequent ownership are not recorded, its format and execution align with the prolific workshop practices of the period.
Context
During the Renaissance, the demand for portable, reproducible devotional images grew, and woodcuts served both liturgical and private devotional purposes. This piece reflects that trend, offering a narrative sequence that could be displayed in churches or private chapels to reinforce biblical teachings.
Artist & collection
Artist
A German artist of the late 1500s drew knights clashing in parades and mock battles, filling sheets with detailed ink colored lightly in watercolor: soldiers mid-joust, shields flying, foot soldiers sparring with spears.
![Abraham Entertaining the Angels [verso], by German 16th Century](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/german-16th-century--abraham-entertaining-the-angels-verso--69d1b25f4eba0a53-w320.webp)
