Artwork
Saint Poppo
Saint Poppo is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Netherlandish 15th Century. It dates from 1475 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Saint Poppo is a hand-colored woodcut print on vellum, featuring a robed bishop with a staff and cross, set against a landscape with a fallen figure and grazing sheep. The image combines woodcut lines with flat, post-printing colors in green, red, and yellow.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts Saint Poppo, identifiable by his bishop’s attire, extending a blessing or protection over a person lying on the ground. His calm expression and raised hand emphasize the benevolent nature of the scene.
Technique & Style
Created using a common 15th-century method, the print’s lines were carved into wood before inking and printing on vellum. Subsequent hand-coloring in green, red, and yellow adds depth, characteristic of the era’s woodcut enhancements.
Context
Dating to the 1400s, this woodcut reflects the prevalent printing techniques of its time, preceding photographic methods. The use of vellum and manual retouching highlights the craftsmanship involved.
Artist & collection
Artist
These prints show Christ’s suffering in bold, hand-colored images from 15th-century Northern Europe.
