Who painted Saint Simon?

Saint Simon was painted by Master F.P..

Where can I see Saint Simon?

Saint Simon is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Saint Simon?

Saint Simon is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Saint Simon

Master F.P.

Saint Simon is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Master F.P.. It is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Saint Simon is an early‑modern religious print executed in etching by the artist identified only as Master F.P. in 1540. The work presents a solitary, bearded figure in a loose garment, rendered in monochrome ink on paper. The composition is simple yet dynamic, with the figure turned in profile and his gestures suggesting a narrative or devotional moment.

Subject & Meaning

The central character is traditionally recognized as the apostle Simon, depicted with a beard and a modest robe. He holds a bundle in his left hand, a possible reference to his missionary duties, while his right hand reaches upward, implying prayer or a visionary experience. The surrounding hatching conveys a sense of light or spiritual movement surrounding the saint.

Technique & Style

employed varied cross‑hatching and tonal shading to model the figure’s volume, achieving a three‑dimensional impression despite the medium’s flatness.

Created through the etching process, the image relies on incised lines that retain ink when pressed onto paper. Master F.P. employed varied cross‑hatching and tonal shading to model the figure’s volume, achieving a three‑dimensional impression despite the medium’s flatness. The background consists of swift, diagonal strokes that suggest illumination and kinetic energy, a hallmark of mid‑16th‑century printmaking.

History & Provenance

The print dates to 1540, placing it within the flourishing period of Northern European religious engraving. While the artist’s full identity remains obscure, the work bears the signature or monogram of Master F.P., indicating a workshop practice common at the time. No documented ownership trail precedes its appearance in later collections of early modern prints.