Who painted Saint James and the Magician Hermogenes?

Saint James and the Magician Hermogenes was painted by Pieter van der Heyden in 1565.

Where can I see Saint James and the Magician Hermogenes?

Saint James and the Magician Hermogenes is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Saint James and the Magician Hermogenes?

Saint James and the Magician Hermogenes is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Saint James and the Magician Hermogenes?

Museum-quality prints of Saint James and the Magician Hermogenes are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Saint James and the Magician Hermogenes

Pieter van der Heyden , 1565

Saint James and the Magician Hermogenes is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Pieter van der Heyden. It dates from 1565 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower center, in image, in plate: Bruegel invent; lower right, in image, in plate: Cock. excudebat. 1565; in lower margin, in plate: DIVVS IACOBVS DIABOLICIS PRAESTIGIIS ANTE MAGVM SISTITVR (Saint James, by devilish deception, is placed before the magician) [translation from Nadine Orenstein, ed., Pieter Bruegel the Elder: Drawings and Prints. Exhibition catalogue. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2001, p. 230.]

About this work

Overview

Saint James and the Magician Hermogenes is a 1565 engraving on laid paper by Pieter van der Heyden, a Flemish printmaker known for reproducing works by prominent Flemish painters. This piece adapts an earlier design to depict a dramatic biblical confrontation.

Subject & Meaning

The engraving illustrates a chaotic religious scene: Saint James, robed and authoritative with staff, confronts a crowd of distressed individuals amidst a backdrop of surreal, fantastical elements, including distorted figures, strange creatures, and objects.

Technique & Style

Van der Heyden's engraving showcases dense, intricate composition, characteristic of his reproductive style. The small format is densely packed with dynamic, expressive lines and tones, achieving a sense of frenetic energy and visual overload.

History & Provenance

Created in 1565, the work is an adaptation of an earlier design, typical of van der Heyden's practice of engraving after Flemish painters. Specific provenance details are not provided.

Context

As a reproductive engraving, it reflects the 16th-century Flemish practice of disseminating paintings through print. The subject matter aligns with religious themes common in Flemish art of the period.

Legacy

While specific legacy details of this engraving are not provided, van der Heyden's contributions to Flemish printmaking and the dissemination of Flemish painting designs through engravings are notable.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Pieter van der Heyden

Pieter van der Heyden (c. 1530 - after March 1572) was a Flemish printmaker who is known for his reproductive engravings after works by leading Flemish painters and designers of the 16th century.