Artwork
St. Augustine and the Child on the Seashore
St. Augustine and the Child on the Seashore is a print by the Renaissance artist Master of the Nuremberg Passion. It dates from 1467 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Saint Augustine and the Child on the Seashore is a rare, early print by the Master of the Nuremberg Passion, one of the foremost engravers of his time, known for 19 notable engravings. This work is the artist's most mature and survives in a single, exceptionally preserved impression.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts St. Augustine kneeling on a shoreline in a red robe, alongside a child pouring water into a sandhole. Rooted in Christian lore, the scene symbolizes the futility of human attempts to comprehend the divine, with the child embodying God's ineffable mystery.
Technique & Style
Executed with meticulous fine lines and rich ink, the engraving showcases the artist's technical prowess, ensuring clarity in even the smallest details, characteristic of the Master's refined style.
History & Provenance
The sole surviving impression of this print is housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art, highlighting its rarity and significance within the Master of the Nuremberg Passion's oeuvre.
Artist & collection
