Artwork
Saint Thomas (?) or Saint Simon (?)
Saint Thomas (?) or Saint Simon (?) is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Israhel van Meckenem. It dates from 1475 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Around 1475, Israhel van Meckenem, a German engraver and goldsmith, produced an engraving on laid paper depicting a bearded holy figure. The image shows a man in a long robe, holding a staff‑like object and a book, with a halo above his head, set against a minimal floor pattern.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is traditionally identified as either Saint Thomas or Saint Simon, reflecting the devotional focus of late‑medieval art. The presence of a book and the gesture of the hand suggest themes of teaching or testimony associated with the apostolic saints.
Technique & Style
Van Meckenem employed fine, parallel lines to render the folds of the robe, giving the garment a three‑dimensional quality that was innovative for mid‑15th‑century prints. The use of a simple floor line and the stark contrast of black ink on white paper enhance the figure’s solemn presence.
History & Provenance
As one of the over 620 prints attributed to van Meckenem, this work exemplifies his prolific output. Many of his engravings were copies of earlier compositions, but this piece stands as an original devotional image produced during his active period from 1465 until his death in 1503.
Artist & collection
Artist
Israhel van Meckenem (c. 1445 – 10 November 1503), also known as Israhel van Meckenem the Younger, was a German printmaker and goldsmith, perhaps of a Dutch family origin. He was the most prolific engraver of the…
