Matthias from the Martyrdom of the Twelve Apostles
Original title: Matthias from the Martyrdom of the Twelve Apostles
kurzbeschreibung
The apostle Matthias meets his death in this woodcut by Lucas Cranach the Elder. The undated sheet belongs to a series presenting the deaths of the Twelve Apostles. It is executed as a woodcut measuring 16.2 × 12.6 cm.
Description
Riders and foot soldiers crowd the foreground, poised for combat. One soldier carries a spear while Matthias lies on the ground, suggesting he is wounded or already dead. Beyond them opens a landscape with trees, a tower and a building. Two coats of arms sit at the top edge. The sheet stays monochrome, shaped throughout by the linework and hatching of the woodcut.
Context
This woodcut series on the martyrdom of the Twelve Apostles probably dates to the early sixteenth century, when Lucas Cranach the Elder was working in Wittenberg. Printmaking let such series circulate widely, and they served religious instruction. The exact date is unknown; the work takes its place within Cranach's extensive graphic output. The two coats of arms may point to a patron or a dedication.
Impact
The scene captures the moment of martyrdom with real drama. Fine hatching builds vivid depth and gives the image a dynamic tension. The viewer is drawn straight into the action.
Technique
The image was cut into a woodblock and printed onto paper. Lines and hatching define this technique and produce the monochrome effect. Varying the depth of the lines governs how light and shadow appear in the print.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)