Artwork

Saint Juliana

Saint Juliana, by German 15th Century, ink, 1460
Saint Juliana, by German 15th Century, ink, 1460

Saint Juliana is an ink print by the Renaissance artist German 15th Century. It dates from 1460 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Saint Juliana is a hand‑colored woodcut print depicting a solitary figure standing above a fallen individual. The saint is shown with a dark halo, wearing a blue robe trimmed with red sleeves, and holding a staff. The background features a blue sky dotted with clouds and a green hillside, rendered in flat, bright hues.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents the saint as a protector or intercessor, elevated above a person who appears to have succumbed to death or injury. The halo signals sanctity, while the staff may symbolize authority or pilgrimage, suggesting themes of salvation and divine assistance.

Technique & Style

Carved from a wood block, the image relies on bold, clear outlines typical of the medium. After printing, the work was hand‑colored using a palette of blue, green, rose, brown, tan, and gold, producing vivid, flat areas of color that emphasize the graphic quality of the woodcut.

History & Provenance

The piece is identified as a print, though specific details about its date, creator, or ownership history are not provided in the source material.

Context

Woodcut printing, popular from the late medieval period onward, allowed for relatively inexpensive reproduction of religious imagery. The use of hand‑coloring added visual richness, making such works suitable for devotional settings or personal contemplation.

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.