Artwork
Christ and the Apostles: St. Judas Thaddeus (with the Club)
Christ and the Apostles: St. Judas Thaddeus (with the Club) is a print by the Baroque artist Ludolph Büsinck. It dates from 1604 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1604 by the German printmaker Ludolph Büsinck, this work is a religious print titled *Christ and the Apostles: St. Judas Thaddeus (with the Club)*. It is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The image presents a solitary figure in a contemplative pose, rendered in a manner characteristic of early Baroque visual language.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is identified as St. Judas Thaddeus, one of the twelve apostles, recognizable by the club he holds—a traditional attribute linked to his martyrdom. His downcast gaze and solemn expression convey a mood of meditation, inviting viewers to reflect on the apostle’s devotion and the broader themes of sacrifice and faith.
Technique & Style
Büsinck employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, using stark contrasts of light and shadow to model the apostle’s form and give the composition a three‑dimensional presence. The rendering of the curled hair, beard, and draped robe demonstrates a careful handling of line and tone typical of early Baroque printmaking, emphasizing volume and emotional depth.
History & Provenance
The print was produced in the early seventeenth century, a period when religious imagery was widely disseminated through prints for devotional use. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the twentieth century, where it remains an example of Büsinck’s contribution to the spread of Baroque visual motifs across Northern Europe.
Artist & collection
Artist
Ludolph Büsinck (c.1600–1669) was a German painter and wood-engraver, born at Hann.
