Saint Job, wearing a cloak, from "Piccoli Santi" (Small Saints)
Original title: Saint Job, wearing a cloak, from "Piccoli Santi" (Small Saints)
kurzbeschreibung
This engraving by Marcantonio Raimondi was made between around 1500 and 1527. It shows Saint Job wearing a long robe over a tunic. In his right hand the saint holds a staff, and around his neck he wears a ring—a sign of his steadfastness. At only 8.2 x 4.9 cm, the small sheet suggests use as a devotional image.
Description
Saint Job stands centrally before a plain border that frames the image. A floor-length robe lies over a tunic. His right hand grasps a staff, curly, wavy hair falls down, and a beard frames his face. Around his neck is a ring, the saint's attribute. Precise lines with fine hatching model the folds of the fabric and the texture of the hair. At the bottom the name 'S. IOB' is engraved in Latin letters.
Context
Marcantonio Raimondi was an Italian engraver of the Renaissance. He became known for reproductive engravings after works by artists such as Raphael. The series 'Piccoli Santi' gathers small devotional images of saints for private use. Raimondi worked in Rome and Bologna; his prints helped spread artworks throughout Europe. The dating around 1500–27 falls within his active period, during which he produced numerous religious motifs.
Impact
Fine detail and the saint's calm, dignified posture define the sheet. Clear lines and a balanced layout create a meditative mood that invites devotion. Despite its small size, the work has a remarkable presence and reveals Raimondi's craftsmanship.
Technique
In engraving, lines are cut into a copper plate and then printed on paper. Raimondi used parallel and cross-hatching to create shadow and volume. The precise execution of details such as fabric texture and facial features demonstrates the engraver's high skill.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)