Artwork

St. John the Baptist Surrounded by the Evangelists and Four Fathers of the Latin Church

St. John the Baptist Surrounded by the Evangelists and Four Fathers of the Latin Church is a print by the Renaissance artist Master E.S.. It dates from 1466 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This 1466 engraving, created by the unidentified German printmaker Master ES, features a central figure of St.

About this work

Overview

This 1466 engraving, created by the unidentified German printmaker Master ES, features a central figure of St. John the Baptist surrounded by eight other religious figures within a densely composed, circular metal plate.

Subject & Meaning

At the center, St. John the Baptist is flanked by the four Evangelists and four prominent Fathers of the Latin Church, illustrating the religious hierarchies and theological alignments of the late Gothic period.

Technique & Style

Characterized by intricate black and white linework, the engraving showcases Master ES's mastery of filling space with minute details, including architectural and natural elements in the background, and ornate borders of swirls and leaves.

History & Provenance

One of Master ES's signed works (with the monogram 'E.S.'), it exemplifies his influence on subsequent printmakers through this practice. The piece is currently part of the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.

Context

Produced during the late Gothic period, the work reflects prevailing religious and artistic conventions, contrasting with the forthcoming stylistic shifts of the Renaissance.

Artist & collection

Artist

Master E.S.

Master E. S. (c. 1420 – c. 1468; previously known as the Master of 1466) is an unidentified German engraver, goldsmith, and printmaker of the late Gothic period. He was the first major German artist of old master prints…