Artwork

St. Marcarius

St. Marcarius, by Günther Zainer, 1528
St. Marcarius, by Günther Zainer, 1528

St. Marcarius is a print by Günther Zainer. It dates from 1528 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. St.

About this work

Overview

St. Marcarius is a print created around 1528 by Günther Zainer, currently in the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a serene, barefoot figure with a simple golden halo, identified as St. Marcarius. His calm expression, wavy hair, and peaceful pose underscore his saintly representation.

Technique & Style

Characterized by simplicity and directness, the work features a flat, light background, minimal shading, and basic details such as striped ground and round-leaved trees framing the saint.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1528 by Günther Zainer, the print's history prior to its current ownership by The Cleveland Museum of Art is not detailed here.

Context

The print reflects the religious themes common in early 16th-century European art, with its straightforward style possibly indicating its use for devotional or educational purposes.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Günther Zainer

Artist

Günther Zainer

Günther Zainer was the first printer in Augsburg, where he worked from 1468 until his death; he produced about 80 books including two German editions of the Bible and the first printed calendar.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.