St. James the Less, from Christ, the Apostles and St. Paul with the Creed

Art Historical Context

Behold Hendrick Goltzius's masterful engraving *St. James the Less from Christ, the Apostles and St Paul with the Creed*ca. 1589), a gem from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Prints collection. This intimate work, measuring just 5 7/8 × 4 1/8 inches on the plate, captures the apostle St. James the Less amid a renowned series depicting Christ, the Twelve Apostles, and St. Paul the Creed. Created during the late 16th century in the Netherlands, these prints reflect the era's fervent religious devotion amid the Reformation, serving as devotional aids for homes and churches. Goltzius, a pioneering Dutch Mannerist engraver, showcases his virtuosic technique here. His swelling, rhythmic line work—achieved through intricate burin strokes—imbues the figure with dynamic energy and lifelike volume, rivaling the effects of painting. Engravings like this were revolutionary for their reproducibility, spreading Catholic iconography widely despite Protestant iconoclasm. This piece, acquired via the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund in 1917, exemplifies Goltzius's influence on printmaking, blending Northern Renaissance precision with Italianate flair. Visitors will appreciate how such small-scale works packed profound spiritual punch, inviting contemplation of faith's enduring symbols.

About the Artist

Hendrick Goltzius · 1558–1617

Hendrick Goltzius (1558–1617) was the most celebrated engraver of the Northern Renaissance and a pivotal figure in Dutch Mannerism. Born near the German-Dutch border, Goltzius transformed printmaking into a virtuoso art form through his revolutionary 'swelling line' technique, where the burin was manipulated to create lines of varying thickness that produced unprecedented tonal effects and three-d...