Who painted A Monk with an Angel?

A Monk with an Angel was painted by German 15th Century in 1485.

Where can I see A Monk with an Angel?

A Monk with an Angel is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is A Monk with an Angel?

A Monk with an Angel is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

A Monk with an Angel

German 15th Century , 1485

A Monk with an Angel is an ink print by the Renaissance artist German 15th Century. It dates from 1485 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

A hand‑coloured woodcut titled *A Monk with an Angel* shows a kneeling monk in a light robe, arms outstretched, facing a hovering angel dressed in red. The angel’s expansive wings frame a slender object that extends behind the monk. The composition rests on an unadorned background, emphasizing the devotional interaction between the two figures.

Subject & Meaning

The work portrays a moment of prayerful supplication, the monk’s posture suggesting reverence and appeal, while the angel’s presence conveys a divine response or guidance. The contrast between the monk’s muted attire and the angel’s vivid red underscores the spiritual hierarchy and the encounter’s sacred tone.

Technique & Style

Executed as a woodcut, the image is enhanced by hand‑applied pigments in a palette of red, olive‑gray, light green, olive, blue, yellow and pink. The precise carving of line and the selective colour washes reflect Renaissance printmaking practices, where artists combined graphic precision with modest colour to enrich narrative detail.

History & Provenance

The print belongs to the Renaissance period and is presently held by the National Gallery of Art. Its provenance traces back to the era’s flourishing market for devotional prints, which were widely circulated for personal contemplation and private devotion.

Context

During the Renaissance, woodcuts served both as artistic expressions and as vehicles for religious instruction. This piece aligns with the period’s interest in depicting intimate spiritual encounters, offering viewers a visual meditation on the relationship between humanity and the celestial realm.