Who painted The Voyage of Saint Ursula?

The Voyage of Saint Ursula was painted by German 15th Century in 1485.

Where can I see The Voyage of Saint Ursula?

The Voyage of Saint Ursula is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Voyage of Saint Ursula?

The Voyage of Saint Ursula is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

The Voyage of Saint Ursula

German 15th Century , 1485

The Voyage of Saint Ursula is an ink print by the Renaissance artist German 15th Century. It dates from 1485 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The Voyage of Saint Ursula is a hand‑colored woodcut print that portrays a lively river scene. A group of figures occupies a cream‑hued boat with a patterned sail, while a prominently placed man in a red tunic and blue hat appears to be steering. The composition conveys forward motion across gently rippled water toward a distant green hillside.

Subject & Meaning

The image illustrates the legendary journey of Saint Ursula and her companions, a narrative often associated with pilgrimage and martyrdom. By emphasizing the act of propulsion and the varied attire of the travelers, the work underscores themes of collective endeavor and spiritual voyage.

Technique & Style

Executed as a woodcut, the piece relies on bold, defined lines characteristic of the medium. After printing in brown, the artist applied hand‑applied pigments—red lake, green, blue, yellow, tan, gold, and orange—to enliven the scene, creating a vivid contrast between the monochrome base and the bright coloration.

History & Provenance

The print belongs to the early modern tradition of illustrated devotional literature, where woodcuts were commonly used to disseminate saintly legends. Its precise date and original owner are undocumented, but the hand‑coloring suggests it was intended for a private collector or a devotional booklet.

Context

During the period when illustrated religious texts flourished, Saint Ursula’s story was popular in Northern Europe. Woodcut prints served both educational and devotional purposes, allowing narratives to reach a broader audience beyond illuminated manuscripts.

Legacy

The Voyage of Saint Ursula exemplifies the intersection of narrative illustration and colorized printmaking, influencing later devotional imagery that combined graphic clarity with a limited but striking palette.