Artwork

Four Martyrs - Saint Acacius

Four Martyrs - Saint Acacius, by German 15th Century, ink, 1480
Four Martyrs - Saint Acacius, by German 15th Century, ink, 1480

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

Portrait of German 15th Century

Artist

German 15th Century

This 15th-century German artist carved vivid religious scenes into metal and wood, then hand-painted them in bright, symbolic colors.

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