The Martyrdom of Saint John the Evangelist (recto), and December Calendar (verso), from Book of Hours
1496/97
Medium
Metalcut and letterpress in black with rubrication (recto/verso) on vellum
Dimensions
13.6 × 8.8 cm (5 3/8 × 3 1/2 in.)
Classification
woodcut
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
22226
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Around 1488, engraver and printer Philippe Pigouchet and bookseller Simon Vostre embarked on a successful business partnership in Paris, and over the next 20 years they produced hundreds of exquisitely illustrated books. This leaf is taken from a book of hours, a Christian devotional publication containing psalms, prayers, and a calendar for worship and celebrations. It depicts the miracle of Saint John, when he emerged unharmed from a vat of boiling oil. The image is an illustration for the mo...