Who painted Saint Onuphrius?

Saint Onuphrius was painted by German 15th Century in 1450.

Where can I see Saint Onuphrius?

Saint Onuphrius is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Saint Onuphrius?

Saint Onuphrius is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Saint Onuphrius

German 15th Century , 1450

Saint Onuphrius is an ink print by the Renaissance artist German 15th Century. It dates from 1450 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The work is a hand‑colored woodcut depicting a solitary saint set within a tranquil landscape of trees and rock formations.

About this work

Overview

The work is a hand‑colored woodcut depicting a solitary saint set within a tranquil landscape of trees and rock formations. Rendered in a limited palette of ochre, pink, gray and red, the image balances simplicity of form with subtle chromatic accents, creating a serene visual atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is presented in modest attire, his long beard and humble dress emphasizing asceticism. Positioned upright amid natural elements, the saint appears contemplative, suggesting themes of solitude, devotion and the harmony between the spiritual and the natural world.

Technique & Style

Executed as a woodcut, the image was produced by carving the design into a wooden block, inking the surface, and pressing it onto paper. After printing, selective areas were hand‑applied with ochre, pink, gray and red pigments, an early example of color added directly to a woodcut, enhancing depth while retaining the medium’s graphic clarity.

History & Provenance

The piece belongs to the initial phase of hand‑colored woodcut production, a period when artists began experimenting with limited color applications to enrich the monochrome tradition. Its precise origin and ownership trail remain undocumented, but its early date places it among the pioneering works that expanded printmaking’s visual possibilities.