Heilige Rochus als pelgrim met pelgrimsstaf toont pestbult op been

About this artwork

collector's mark: Lugt 12

Art Historical Context

Behold this exquisite engraving by Marcantonio Raimondi a master of the Italian Renaissance printmaking world (c. 1480–1534). Titled *Heilige Rochus alsgrim met pelgrimsaf toont pestbult op been*—or "Saint Roch as Pilgrim with Pilgrim's Staff Shows Plague Bubo on His Leg"—this intimate work (82 × 49 mm) captures the holy figure revealing his plague sore, a hallmark iconography symbolizing his miraculous protection against disease. Bearing the collector's mark Lugt 12, it hails from a distinguished provenance, underscoring its enduring appeal to connoisseurs. Created between 1500 and 1527 amid recurrent plagues ravaging Europe, the print reflects profound cultural devotion to Saint Roch, patron saint of plague victims. Pilgrims and the afflicted carried such small, portable images for personal protection and prayer, making engravings like this vital tools for spreading faith during crises. Raimondi's genius shines in his precise engraving technique, incising fine lines into copper plates to produce richly detailed, reproducible images rivaling paintings. As a pioneer in reproductive printmaking, he democratized Renaissance art, allowing sacred scenes to reach beyond elite patrons. This delicate gem invites us to ponder resilience and piety in turbulent times.

About the Artist

Marcantonio Raimondi · 1475–1534

Marcantonio Raimondi (c. 1480–1534), born near Bologna, Italy, emerged as one of the Renaissance's premier engravers, revolutionizing printmaking through his mastery of reproductive techniques. He trained in the workshop of the goldsmith, painter, and niellist Francesco Francia, whose influence is evident in his early engravings, such as the goldsmith-like shading in *Pyramus and Thisbe* (1505), h...