Saint Bartholomew, knife in his right hand, from "Piccoli Santi" (Small Saints)
Original title: Saint Bartholomew, knife in his right hand, from "Piccoli Santi" (Small Saints)
kurzbeschreibung
This engraving by Marcantonio Raimondi, made sometime between about 1500 and 1527, presents Saint Bartholomew as a full-length figure. Over his hose he wears a long-sleeved robe, a crown sits on his head, and a knife is held in his left hand. Measuring just 8.1 by 4.7 cm, the small sheet belongs to the series known as the 'Piccoli Santi'.
Description
The saint stands front and center, his body turned slightly toward the left. A floor-length robe with wide sleeves falls over his hose, and a crown tops his head. The knife in his left hand shows its blade plainly. His face is calm and thoughtful, the gaze drifting a little to the left. The lines are drawn with precision and rich detail, and the folds of the garment are clearly worked out.
Context
The Italian Marcantonio Raimondi was a Renaissance engraver known for reproductive prints after artists such as Raphael. The 'Piccoli Santi' came about between about 1500 and 1527 as a series of small devotional images. Widely circulated, prints like these served religious edification and helped spread artistic motifs. Bartholomew appears with the knife that iconographic tradition assigns him, since legend holds that he was beheaded.
Impact
The quiet stance and pensive gaze make the saint at once exalted and approachable. The layout is clear and balanced, and the delicate linework creates a contemplative mood that invites devotion. Despite the modest format, the sheet carries a remarkable presence.
Technique
In engraving, lines are cut into a copper plate and transferred to paper with printer's ink. Raimondi used fine, parallel hatching to model shadow and volume. The colouring stays monochrome and the light is evenly distributed, both typical of this process.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)