Bartholomew from the Martyrdom of the Twelve Apostles
Original title: Bartholomew from the Martyrdom of the Twelve Apostles
kurzbeschreibung
This woodcut by Lucas Cranach the Elder comes from his series on the twelve apostles and shows the martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew. The sheet measures roughly 16.5 × 12.5 cm. It depicts the saint hanging from a stake, surrounded by armed men, while a city burns in the background.
Description
Bartholomew hangs from a wooden stake, closely surrounded by several soldiers. Some of the armed men are on horseback; the rest stand on the ground in conventional armor. Behind them, burning buildings and rising smoke suggest a devastated city. The layout is dynamic and places the hanging saint at its center. Fine lines and the monochrome execution are entirely in keeping with the woodcut manner.
Context
Lucas Cranach the Elder produced a great many religious woodcuts, often serving Reformation propaganda or made for church patrons. The apostle series probably dates from the 1510s, when production in Wittenberg was especially brisk. The martyrdom follows Christian iconography that presents Bartholomew as a martyr. Nothing is recorded about the exact circumstances of its creation, so the dating must remain open.
Impact
A dramatic visual language emphasizes the saint's suffering. Clear arrangement and fine lines give the sheet a calm yet insistent presence. The burning city heightens the threatening mood and makes the violence of the martyrdom palpable.
Technique
The woodcut is a relief process: the design is cut into a wooden block and then printed. The lines are precise and carefully guided, indicating high craft quality. The monochrome coloring is characteristic of this technique, widely used in the Renaissance.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)