Silver Statuette of St. James the Less, from the "Wittenberg Reliquaries"
Original title: Silver Statuette of St. James the Less, from the "Wittenberg Reliquaries"
kurzbeschreibung
The silver figure of Saint James the Less, once part of the Wittenberg reliquary collection, is shown here in a woodcut by Lucas Cranach the Elder. The sheet measures 12 × 5.4 cm and belongs to a series that documented the relics of Frederick the Wise in pictures.
Description
James stands facing the viewer directly, dressed in a long-sleeved robe with a cloak laid over it. A halo of rays rests above his head as a sign of his holiness. His right hand grips a pole or staff, while the left hangs relaxed at his side. The ground remains bare, limited to a suggested base beneath the statuette. At the top edge, an old inscription reads 'Jacob der kleiner'.
Context
Elector Frederick the Wise of Saxony assembled an extensive collection of saintly relics for his castle church in Wittenberg. From 1505 onward, Lucas Cranach the Elder served as his court painter and produced many woodcuts in this setting that recorded the holdings. Such sheets circulated both individually and bound in books, making the collection accessible to a public audience.
Impact
The print's clear, linear manner reproduces the silver statuette faithfully. Sharp contours and fine hatching convey a calm, almost solemn impression suited to the religious subject. With all extraneous detail held back, attention falls entirely on the figure and its attributes.
Technique
This sheet is a woodcut: the design is cut into a wooden block and then pulled onto paper. In this way fine lines and gradations can be achieved, as seen in the folds of the garment and the halo of rays. Printing was done in portrait format, following the slender shape of the statuette.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)