Saint Christopher (1506, Met-Objekt 2445)
Original title: Saint Christopher
kurzbeschreibung
Lucas Cranach the Elder produced this woodcut in 1506, showing Saint Christopher carrying the Christ Child on his shoulders as he crosses a river. The print is in black and white and represents the second of two recorded states (Hollstein).
Description
A bearded man in a long robe wades through a river landscape, bearing the child on his back; the child holds a ball. Trees, rocks, and a town with buildings step back into the distance. A cloud-filled sky spans the view, and the linework is richly detailed.
Context
Cranach was in Vienna in 1506, where he devoted himself to printmaking. The woodcut survives in two states and was likely intended for church or private use. Devotion to Saint Christopher was widespread in the late Middle Ages, as the saint was venerated as the patron of travelers.
Impact
Fine lines and a calm yet animated conception of the saint define the sheet. Landscape and figures appear balanced and radiate a contemplative stillness. The graduated grays create a clear, high-contrast image.
Technique
The woodcut is printed from a cut wooden block, from which the design was transferred to paper. This technique allows fine hatching and textures, as seen in the landscape and figures. The print is executed in black on paper and shows the typical aesthetic of early printmaking.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)