Artwork
Saint Benedict Reviving a Monk Killed by the Devil
Saint Benedict Reviving a Monk Killed by the Devil is an ink drawing by the Renaissance artist Hans Leonard Schäufelein. It dates from 1505 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Hans Leonard Schäufelein’s drawing, Saint Benedict Reviving a Monk Killed by the Devil, dates to around 1505. Executed with pen and brown ink, reinforced by graphite framing lines on laid paper, the work presents a compact, narrative scene in a single sheet. The composition captures a moment of miraculous intervention, typical of late‑Gothic devotional imagery.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts Saint Benedict raising a fallen monk who has been slain by a demonic figure. The monk, clutching a staff, rises amid a crumbling wall while a horned, winged devil recoils. Kneeling monks surround the event, some with raised hands, others pointing, emphasizing the contrast between divine rescue and diabolic defeat.
Technique & Style
Schäufelein employs swift, sketchy pen strokes and brown ink washes, accentuated by graphite lines that outline the figures and architectural fragments. The cross‑hatching in shadowed areas creates a sense of depth and movement, while the loose handling of line conveys the drama and immediacy of the miracle.
History & Provenance
Created in the early sixteenth century, the drawing reflects the devotional practices of German monastic communities. Though specific ownership records are sparse, the work has been catalogued among Schäufelein’s religious drawings and is now held in a public collection that focuses on Northern Renaissance art.
Context
The composition aligns with contemporary visual narratives that celebrated Saint Benedict’s role as a protector of monastic life. The motif of a saint reviving a fallen monk appears in manuscript illumination and panel painting of the period, reinforcing the theological message of spiritual resilience against evil.
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