Artwork
Saint Matthias
Saint Matthias is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Italian 16th Century. It dates from 1626 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Saint Matthias is a woodcut print on laid paper depicting a kneeling apostle. The work is rendered in black and white, with textured paper characteristic of the woodcut technique.
Subject & Meaning
The print shows Saint Matthias, identified by the inscription 'San Matthias Apostulus' at the bottom. He is depicted kneeling with a staff in his right hand and his left hand on his chest, wearing a long robe with sharply defined folds, and is distinguished by a halo.
Technique & Style
The work is a woodcut, a technique that involves carving a design into a wooden block, which is then used to print the image onto paper. The resulting print has a textured appearance and features sharp lines, evident in the folds of the saint's robe.
Artist & collection
Artist
An anonymous 16th-century Italian sculptor left a handful of small bronzes in dark brown and gilt.
