Reverse copy of The Martyrdom of St Paul from The Martyrdom of the Twelve Apostles
Original title: Reverse copy of The Martyrdom of St Paul from The Matyrdom of the Twelve Apostles
kurzbeschreibung
Lucas Cranach the Elder depicts the martyrdom of the Apostle Paul in this woodcut, part of his 'Martyrium der zwölf Apostel' series. The sheet measures 16.3 × 12.6 cm and is a reverse copy; its dating remains uncertain.
Description
Riders and foot soldiers in battle gear, armed with lances and shields, crowd the foreground. Some of the horsemen stand out through striking headgear and armor. Behind them appears a wagon bearing a shield with a cross and sword. Figures look and move in various directions, lending the layout a sense of dynamism.
Context
Around 1512 Cranach created the woodcuts for the 'Martyrium der zwölf Apostel' series; they were later copied many times. This sheet is a reverse copy, suggesting reproduction by another artist or a later workshop. Such copies circulated well-known compositions in the sixteenth century.
Impact
The dense row of figures and the detailed armor create immediate drama. The black-and-white technique heightens the contrasts and draws the eye to the central action.
Technique
This is a woodcut, a relief printing method in which the design is cut into a block of wood and then printed onto paper. Bold, detailed lines define the image and are typical of Cranach's prints.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)