Saint Thomas (?) or Saint Simon (?)
1475
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1475
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This is a black-and-white engraving of a bearded man in a long robe. He stands holding a book or staff, with one hand gripping it and the other resting on his chest. The background shows a simple floor with a few lines, and his halo marks him as holy. The lines in the print create texture—notice how the folds in his robe look almost three-dimensional. This kind of detail was new in the 1400s. Want to see more? Look up engraving to learn how artists like this made prints.