Artwork
Saints Stephen and Maurice
Saints Stephen and Maurice is an unspecified painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Anton Woensam. It dates from 1520 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1520, the oak panel painting *Saints Stephen and Maurice* presents two standing figures in an outdoor setting. The work is attributed to Anton Woensam, a German artist known for both painting and wood engraving during the early sixteenth century. It is part of the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich.
Subject & Meaning
The composition features Saint Stephen, identifiable by his red robe trimmed in gold, a book, and a palm branch, alongside Saint Maurice, clad in green and gold armor with a red hat and holding a spear. Their juxtaposition reflects the traditional pairing of a martyr and a military saint, emphasizing themes of faith and steadfastness.
Technique & Style
Woensam employs a clear chiaroscuro, using light and shadow to model the figures against a rocky landscape that recedes to a distant village. The armor is rendered with reflective detail, while the drapery of Stephen’s robe displays soft, flowing folds, illustrating the Northern Renaissance attention to texture and materiality.
History & Provenance
Born into a family of artists, Woensam likely received his training from his father Jaspar before establishing himself as an illustrator. He relocated from Worms to Cologne around 1510, where he expanded his practice. The panel eventually entered the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings, where it remains on display.
Artist & collection
Artist
Anton Woensam (c.1493/1496 – c.1541) was a German painter and wood-engraver. Woensam was "probably" trained by his father Jaspar as a painter. He mainly created book illustrations. He relocated from Worms to Cologne in…
