Artwork
A Standing Apostle Holding a Book
A Standing Apostle Holding a Book is an ink drawing by the Renaissance artist Hans Süss von Kulmbach. It dates from 1510 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:upper right, falsely signed in black ink retraced with brown ink: AD (in monogram)/1514; lower left verso in graphite: DJIB
About this work
Overview
Hans Süss von Kulmbach’s drawing, titled A Standing Apostle Holding a Book, dates to around 1510. Executed with pen and black ink on laid paper, the image is subtly tinted with a light pink wash, giving the work a delicate tonal quality while preserving the clarity of the line work.
Technique & Style
The artist employed fine pen strokes to delineate the figure’s form, using black ink for definition and a faint pink wash to suggest volume and atmosphere. This combination of precise drawing and restrained coloration reflects the Northern Renaissance’s interest in detailed observation and subtle tonal modulation.
History & Provenance
Created in the early sixteenth century, the drawing is attributed to Süss von Kulmbach, a German painter and draftsman active in the Franconian region. Its provenance traces back to collections of early German Renaissance works, though specific ownership records prior to modern acquisition remain limited.
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Artist & collection
