Artwork
The Battle of St. James the Greater at Clavijo
The Battle of St. James the Greater at Clavijo is a print by the Renaissance artist Martin Schongauer. It dates from 1472 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The Battle of St.
About this work
Overview
The Battle of St. James the Greater at Clavijo is a print by Martin Schongauer depicting a legendary battle scene.
Subject & Meaning
The scene represents the supposed intervention of Saint James the Greater in a battle at Clavijo, where he is said to have aided Spanish Christian forces against Muslim armies in 846. The saint is shown on horseback, wielding a sword, amidst a chaotic landscape of beheaded corpses and severed limbs.
Technique & Style
Schongauer's use of chiaroscuro, a strong contrast between light and dark, heightens the dramatic effect of the crowded and violent scene.
Context
The scallop shell on Saint James's hat references the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, where the saint is believed to be buried, linking the legendary battle to the real-life pilgrimage practices of Schongauer's time.
Artist & collection
Artist
Martin Schongauer, also known as Martin Schön or Hübsch Martin by his contemporaries, was an Alsatian engraver and painter.
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The Battle of Saint James at Clavijo