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Saint John on Patmos

Master H.W.G.

1550

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Renaissance Religious

Dominant colour

Saint John on Patmos is a 1550 ink by Master H.W.G., a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Master H.W.G.
When & what style?: 1550 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This image shows a detailed black-and-white scene of a rocky island with a small village, winding paths, and a few lone figures. Trees cling to the hills, and a church sits near the water’s edge. The sky is busy with swirling clouds, and the sea looks calm in the distance. The artist used fine lines to create depth, making the landscape feel both wild and carefully planned. Notice how the tiny figures add a sense of scale—everything looks small next to the towering cliffs and trees. If you like this style, check out woodcut to see how artists carved images into wood before printing.