Silver Statuette of St. Simon, from the "Wittenberg Reliquaries" (Woodcut, Met-Objekt 2468)
Original title: Silver Statuette of St. Simon, from the "Wittenberg Reliquaries"
kurzbeschreibung
Lucas Cranach the Elder presents Saint Simon in this woodcut as part of the Wittenberg Relics. The sheet belongs to a series made to record the relic collection of Frederick the Wise. The reproduction stays monochrome and brings the saint's figure to the fore.
Description
Saint Simon stands barefoot, dressed in a long-sleeved robe and a cloak. A book rests in his right hand, while his left grips a staff or club. A halo of rays surrounds his head, signalling holiness. The figure rests on a stylised, wavy base. The layout feels symmetrical, the lines clear and sharp, with no shading.
Context
The Wittenberg Relics were an important collection of saints' relics kept by Elector Frederick the Wise in the castle church at Wittenberg. For the Heiltumsbuch, which listed the relics and their containers, Lucas Cranach the Elder made the woodcuts. These prints were meant to document and spread knowledge of the collection. Simon is one of the twelve apostles and often appears with martyrdom attributes.
Impact
Clear linework and symmetrical arrangement give the sheet a calm, ceremonial air. The halo and upright posture lend the figure a dignified presence. Because the image is limited to black and white, it draws the eye to its formal design.
Technique
The work was made by the relief printing method of the woodcut: the motif is cut into a woodblock and then pulled onto paper. The lines appear sharp and precise, as is characteristic of Cranach's prints. The paper format is small, suggesting use as a devotional image or inventory page.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)