Artwork
Saint Andrew
Saint Andrew is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Lucas Cranach the Elder. It dates from 1512 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Lucas Cranach the Elder created the woodcut 'Saint Andrew' in 1512, during his tenure as court painter to the Electors of Saxony.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts Saint Andrew, holding the cross associated with his martyrdom, amidst a crowded and chaotic scene with multiple figures, conveying a sense of drama and tension.
Technique & Style
Cranach's characteristic use of crisp lines and detailed rendering is evident in the woodcut, which showcases the technical capabilities of the woodcut medium in capturing complex scenes and emotions.
Context
The work reflects the intersection of Catholic iconography and the emerging visual culture of early 16th-century Saxony, highlighting Cranach's role in producing widely circulating religious imagery.
Artist & collection
Artist
Lucas Cranach the Elder was a German Renaissance painter and printmaker in woodcut and engraving.
