Artwork
Saints Maximilian, Stephen, and Valentine
Saints Maximilian, Stephen, and Valentine is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Wolf Traut. It dates from 1514 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
You see three saints in this painting: Maximilian, Stephen, and Valentine.
They are dressed in simple robes.
The artist made this woodcut in 1514, which is a pretty old technique - it involves carving a design into wood and using it to print on paper.
This painting is interesting because it shows the saints in a simple way, without many details.
Look up the technique: woodcut.
Overview
Saints Maximilian, Stephen, and Valentine is a 1514 woodcut print by Wolf Traut, featuring three saints in simple attire.
Subject & Meaning
The print portrays Saints Maximilian of Lorch, Stephen, and Valentine, their straightforward depiction reflecting a focus on their devotional significance over elaborate detail.
Technique & Style
Executed using the woodcut technique, the work involves carving a design into wood, which is then used to print on laid paper. The style is characterized by simplicity, with minimal attention to intricate details.
History & Provenance
Created in 1514 by Wolf Traut, specific provenance details are not provided, highlighting the work's existence as an early 16th-century religious print.
Context
Produced during a time when woodcuts were a prevalent method for mass-producing religious imagery, this work would have contributed to the widespread dissemination of saintly images in early 16th-century Europe.
Legacy
While not individually renowned, the print represents a typical example of early 16th-century religious woodcuts, contributing to the broader legacy of Wolf Traut's oeuvre and the tradition of saint depiction in Northern European art.
Artist & collection
