Artwork
Sacred Monogram in a Sacred Heart on a Cloth Held by an Angel
Sacred Monogram in a Sacred Heart on a Cloth Held by an Angel 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. The work is a hand‑colored woodcut depicting an angel bearing a cloth on which a radiant Sacred Heart is emblazoned with the monogram IHS.
About this work
Overview
The work is a hand‑colored woodcut depicting an angel bearing a cloth on which a radiant Sacred Heart is emblazoned with the monogram IHS.
The work is a hand‑colored woodcut depicting an angel bearing a cloth on which a radiant Sacred Heart is emblazoned with the monogram IHS. The angel, rendered with curly hair and a modest brown robe, stands above a kneeling figure reaching toward the cloth, while a bird is shown in flight in the background. The composition is executed in vivid yet weathered hues of red, green, yellow, gold and orange.
Subject & Meaning
The central motif combines the Sacred Heart—a symbol of Christ’s divine love—with the IHS monogram, an abbreviation of the name of Jesus. The angel’s role as bearer of the cloth suggests a heavenly intercession, while the supplicant below conveys devotion and petition. The bird, a common emblem of the soul, reinforces the spiritual ascent implied by the scene.
Technique & Style
Created through the woodcut process, the image was carved in relief on a wooden block and printed in a single color before being manually painted with bright pigments. The hand‑coloring adds layers of gold, green and orange that highlight the heart and decorative elements, characteristic of early modern devotional prints that blended bold line work with vivid coloration.
History & Provenance
The print bears an inscription in a German blackletter script, indicating its origin in a German‑speaking region, though the exact date and printer remain unidentified. Such devotional woodcuts were commonly produced for private worship in the 16th and 17th centuries, circulating among lay believers and religious confraternities.
Context
During the Counter‑Reformation, imagery of the Sacred Heart gained prominence as a visual expression of personal piety and Christ’s compassion. The inclusion of the IHS monogram aligns the work with the Jesuit emphasis on the name of Jesus, reflecting contemporary theological currents that encouraged affective devotion.
Artist & collection
Artist
This 15th-century German artist carved vivid religious scenes into metal and wood, then hand-painted them in bright, symbolic colors.
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