Saint John, book in right hand chalice in left, from "Piccoli Santi" (Small Saints)
Original title: Saint John, book in right hand chalice in left, from "Piccoli Santi" (Small Saints)
kurzbeschreibung
Marcantonio Raimondi's engraving from around 1500–27 presents Saint John the Baptist as a full-length figure. His right hand grasps a book, while his left holds a chalice from which a snake emerges—a reference to the legend of John. At only 8.4 x 5.1 cm, the print was likely used as a private devotional image.
Description
John stands barefoot in a long-sleeved undergarment with a second garment over it, and wears a crown on his head as a sign of his holiness. The left hand holds the chalice with the rising snake, the right a closed book. Vertical stripes form the background, suggesting a wall or frame. Delicate lines and hatching give the figure volume, as was common in Renaissance prints.
Context
Raimondi is counted among the Italian engravers of the Renaissance and became known above all for reproductive engravings after Raphael and other masters. The series of 'Piccoli Santi' (Little Saints) was created in Rome in the first decades of the 16th century. Small-format saint images of this kind served as individual sheets for private devotion or as models for other artists. The chalice and snake draw on the legend that John rendered a poisoned cup harmless.
Impact
Clear, confident lines define the print and give the saint a calm dignity. Through finely graded shading, the figure gains a soft plasticity that feels almost bodily. The whole conveys a quiet, collected mood that invites lingering and looking.
Technique
For this engraving, the drawing was cut with a burin into a copper plate. Even lines and cross-hatching allow fine tonal gradations. The small format demanded very controlled handling of the tool—evidence of Raimondi's craftsmanship.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)