Artwork
Saint Lawrence
Saint Lawrence is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Martin Schongauer. It dates from 1490 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Saint Lawrence is a late 15th-century engraving on laid paper, attributed to Martin Schongauer, an Alsatian painter and printmaker. Created around 1490, it is one of 116 engravings that solidified Schongauer’s position as a pioneering German painter-engraver.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving portrays Saint Lawrence, a Christian martyr, calmly holding a gridiron (symbolizing his method of execution) in one hand and a palm branch (emblem of martyrdom) in the other. The composition conveys serenity and strength in the face of torture.
Technique & Style
Schongauer employed fine, intricate lines to achieve detailed textures and shading, notably in the rendering of the saint’s robes. The work exemplifies the artist’s mastery of engraving, a technique involving carving detailed images into metal plates.
History & Provenance
While specific provenance details for this particular engraving are not provided, it is part of Schongauer’s extensive body of 116 engravings, which predate and influence the work of Albrecht Dürer, establishing Schongauer as the leading printmaker north of the Alps during his time.
Context
Produced circa 1490, Saint Lawrence reflects the religious themes prevalent in late 15th-century European art. Schongauer’s work bridged the gap between painting and printmaking, contributing to the evolution of Northern European artistic practices.
Legacy
As one of Schongauer’s 116 engravings, Saint Lawrence contributed to the artist’s legacy as the first significant German painter-engraver, paving the way for subsequent generations of printmakers, most notably influencing Albrecht Dürer.
Artist & collection
Artist
Martin Schongauer, also known as Martin Schön or Hübsch Martin by his contemporaries, was an Alsatian engraver and painter.
