Artwork
Saint Leo (Pope Leo IX)
Saint Leo (Pope Leo IX) is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Leonhard Beck. It dates from 1517 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
This 1517 woodcut, Saint Leo (Pope Leo IX), is a print by Leonhard Beck, a painter and woodcut designer from Augsburg, Germany.
Subject & Meaning
The woodcut depicts Pope Saint Leo standing beside a bed where a figure lies, possibly representing a miraculous healing. The Pope wears elaborate robes and holds a staff, emphasizing his authority.
Technique & Style
The intricate details of the Pope's robes and the use of light and shadow to create depth demonstrate the artist's skill. The simple yet dignified setting focuses attention on the Pope.
History & Provenance
Beck created this work during a period of collaboration on imperial projects for Emperor Maximilian I, having trained under Hans Holbein the Elder and worked with his father, a miniaturist.
Artist & collection
Artist
Leonhard Beck (c. 1480 – 1542) was a painter and woodcuts designer in Augsburg, Germany. He was the son of Georg Beck, a miniaturist who was active in Augsburg c. 1490–1512/15. Leonhard collaborated with his father on…
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