Artwork
Saint Judas Thaddaeus
Saint Judas Thaddaeus is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Martin Schongauer. It dates from 1480 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Martin Schongauer’s engraving of Saint Judas Thaddaeus, dated to the early 1480s, presents a solitary figure of the apostle in a poised stance. Rendered in black-and-white line work, the image captures the saint’s dignified bearing, his hand grasping the edge of his robe while the other extends outward, a gesture that underscores his role as an intercessor.
Subject & Meaning
The depicted apostle is identified by the traditional attributes linked to his martyrdom, though the engraving emphasizes his contemplative expression rather than overt symbols of suffering. The outward‑pointing finger may allude to his role as a patron of desperate causes, inviting viewers to consider his intercessory power within a devotional context.
Technique & Style
Executed with fine incised lines, the print showcases Schongauer’s mastery of texture, from the curls of the saint’s hair to the drapery’s subtle folds. The engraving’s delicate cross‑hatching creates a nuanced play of light and shadow, reflecting the artist’s background in goldsmithing and his ability to convey three‑dimensional form on a flat surface.
History & Provenance
Schongauer, an Alsatian artist active in the latter half of the 15th century, produced a total of 116 signed engravings before his death in 1491. This particular work, like his others, bears his monogram, confirming its authenticity. It circulated among devotional objects in Northern Europe, contributing to the spread of his reputation as the pre‑Dürer leading printmaker north of the Alps.
Context
The engraving belongs to the broader tradition of 15th‑century Northern European religious art, where prints served both as objects of personal piety and as means of disseminating saintly iconography. Schongauer’s work reflects the period’s growing interest in detailed, portable images that could be owned and contemplated by lay believers beyond the confines of churches.
Artist & collection
Artist
Martin Schongauer, also known as Martin Schön or Hübsch Martin by his contemporaries, was an Alsatian engraver and painter.
