Artwork
Apostle Judas Thaddeus
Apostle Judas Thaddeus is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Hans Baldung Grien. It dates from 1519 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1519, this woodcut portrays the apostle Judas Thaddeus as a solemn figure in a flowing robe, clutching a book and a sword while a halo crowns his head. He stands dominant over a prostrate figure, set against an unadorned background that emphasizes the central character’s presence. The work is part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington.
Subject & Meaning
The composition identifies the saint by his traditional attributes: the book symbolises his teachings, and the sword references his martyrdom. The halo marks his sanctity, while the fallen figure beneath may represent the triumph of faith over earthly opposition, a common theme in devotional imagery of the period.
Technique & Style
Executed as a woodcut, the image relies on bold line work and stark contrasts typical of early 16th‑century printmaking. The artist’s handling of the grain yields expressive curls in the hair and a textured drapery, reflecting a Mannerist interest in exaggerated forms and dynamic poses within the constraints of the medium.
History & Provenance
The print originates from the workshop of Hans Baldung Grien, a German artist trained by Albrecht Dürer. Baldung’s output spanned religious prints, portraiture, and decorative arts, and this piece illustrates his engagement with biblical subjects. It entered the National Gallery of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the mid‑20th century, though earlier ownership records remain sparse.
Context
Produced during the German Renaissance, the work aligns with a broader revival of religious iconography that combined Northern detail with emerging Mannerist stylization. Baldung’s approach, shaped by Dürer’s technical precision, diverges through a heightened emotional intensity, situating the print within a transitional moment between late Gothic sensibilities and early modern expression.
Artist & collection
Artist
Hans Baldung (1484 or 1485 – September 1545), called Hans Baldung Grien, (being an early nickname, because of his predilection for the colour green), was a painter, printer, engraver, draftsman, and stained glass…
