Artwork
Four Martyrs - Saint Acacius

Four Martyrs - Saint Acacius is an ink print by the Renaissance artist German 15th Century. It dates from 1480 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Four Martyrs - Saint Acacius is a woodcut print hand-colored with yellow, green, red, and tan-gray hues. It depicts four haloed figures in various poses, conveying a sense of distress and suffering.
Subject & Meaning
The print shows four figures, likely martyrs, in poses suggesting agony and tension. The scene conveys a narrative of suffering and martyrdom, with the figures' halos indicating their saintly status.
Technique & Style
The woodcut technique is evident in the bold lines, while hand-coloring adds vivid accents. The use of brown as a base tone, complemented by bright colors, creates a dramatic effect, characteristic of certain Renaissance-era prints.
Context
This print is associated with the Renaissance movement, a cultural and artistic phenomenon that saw a resurgence of interest in classical themes and techniques.
Artist & collection
Artist
This 15th-century German artist carved vivid religious scenes into metal and wood, then hand-painted them in bright, symbolic colors.






![Studies for Six Figures (sheet from a model book) [recto], by German 15th Century](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/german-15th-century--studies-for-six-figures-sheet-from-a-model-book-recto--4837429e0755bc3f-w320.webp)












