Artwork

Saint Matthias

Saint Matthias, by Italian 16th Century, ink, 1626
Saint Matthias, by Italian 16th Century, ink, 1626

Saint Matthias is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Italian 16th Century. It dates from 1626 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Saint Matthias is a woodcut print on laid paper depicting a kneeling apostle. The work is rendered in black and white, with textured paper characteristic of the woodcut technique.

Subject & Meaning

The print shows Saint Matthias, identified by the inscription 'San Matthias Apostulus' at the bottom. He is depicted kneeling with a staff in his right hand and his left hand on his chest, wearing a long robe with sharply defined folds, and is distinguished by a halo.

Technique & Style

The work is a woodcut, a technique that involves carving a design into a wooden block, which is then used to print the image onto paper. The resulting print has a textured appearance and features sharp lines, evident in the folds of the saint's robe.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Italian 16th Century

Artist

Italian 16th Century

A 16th-century Italian sculptor left us small bronze works in dark brown and gold.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.