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Saint James Major

Lambert Suavius

1545

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Renaissance Religious St. James the Elder

Dominant colour

Saint James Major is a 1545 ink by Lambert Suavius, a Renaissance work, depicting St. James the Elder, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Lambert Suavius
When & what style?: 1545 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

Suavius carved this engraving around 1545. It shows Saint James in flowing robes, holding a staff and a book. His face has sharp lines, made by cross-hatching—the crisscross lines that shade the image. You can almost feel the texture of the paper. This print was made before cameras. Artists used engravings to share religious scenes widely. Suavius’s work stands out because it blends detail with bold shapes. Curious? See more engravings by Lambert Suavius.