Artwork

Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine, by German 15th Century, ink, 1455
Saint Augustine, by German 15th Century, ink, 1455

Saint Augustine is an ink print by the Renaissance artist German 15th Century. It dates from 1455 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

This woodcut depicts Saint Augustine, identifiable by his attire and attributes. The print combines woodcut techniques with hand-coloring, resulting in a unique visual representation of the saint.

Subject & Meaning

Saint Augustine is portrayed in a contemplative setting, characterized by a book in hand and a single candle illuminating his desk. His facial expression conveys wisdom tempered by fatigue, suggesting a moment of introspective study or writing.

Technique & Style

Executed in woodcut with hand-coloring, the piece features a palette of black, brown, ochre, green, tan, brick red, and mauve, applied as fresh dyes for each print. This hybrid approach blends the reproducibility of printing with the individuality of painting.

History & Provenance

Limited information is provided on the artwork's historical context or ownership history. The emphasis is on the artistic technique, highlighting the intersection of early printing and hand-painting practices.

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.