Artwork
Saint Martin Dividing His Cloak
Saint Martin Dividing His Cloak is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Martin Schongauer. It dates from 1475 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. This engraving on laid paper, created around 1475, depicts Saint Martin sharing his cloak with a beggar.
About this work
Overview
This engraving on laid paper, created around 1475, depicts Saint Martin sharing his cloak with a beggar. The work is by Martin Schongauer, a prominent Alsatian artist active in the late 15th century.
Subject & Meaning
The scene shows Saint Martin, a 4th-century Roman soldier, cutting his cloak to give to a beggar, illustrating a key episode in the saint's life and highlighting his charitable nature.
Technique & Style
The print features sharp, detailed lines and shading achieved through cross-hatching, created by carving into metal and transferring the image to paper through engraving.
History & Provenance
Martin Schongauer, born between 1450 and 1453 in Colmar, was a significant figure in Northern European printmaking before Albrecht Dürer, and was active until his death in 1491.
Artist & collection
Artist
Martin Schongauer, also known as Martin Schön or Hübsch Martin by his contemporaries, was an Alsatian engraver and painter.
