Artwork

Saint Thomas Aquinas

Saint Thomas Aquinas, by Italian 15th Century, ink, 1450
Saint Thomas Aquinas, by Italian 15th Century, ink, 1450

Saint Thomas Aquinas is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Italian 15th Century. It dates from 1450 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription
Inscribed:at upper right, inscribed in black ink: Bene scripsisti de me Thoma (You have written well about me, Thomas); at center, on pages of open book, inscribed in black ink: Invocavi et venit in me spiritus sapientie (I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came upon me); at bottom, inscribed in black ink: Sanctus Thomas doctor et virgo [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. 315.]

About this work

Overview

The print 'Saint Thomas Aquinas' is a hand-colored woodcut with an inscription added in pen and ink. It depicts the Catholic saint in a straightforward composition.

Technique & Style

The artwork is a woodcut, a technique involving carving a design into wood before printing. The image is enhanced with hand-coloring in dark brown, orange, and yellow, which adds visual emphasis to the scene.

Subject & Meaning

The subject of the print is Saint Thomas Aquinas, a significant figure in Catholicism. The simple setting in which he is depicted may underscore his spiritual or intellectual focus.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Italian 15th Century

Artist

Italian 15th Century

An anonymous Italian engraver from the 1490s carved images that could be peeled apart like paper dolls.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Saint Thomas Aquinas?

Saint Thomas Aquinas was painted by Italian 15th Century in 1450.

Where can I see Saint Thomas Aquinas?

Saint Thomas Aquinas is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Saint Thomas Aquinas?

Saint Thomas Aquinas is associated with Renaissance.