Saint Dorothy 1440 - 1460

This image of Saint Dorothy was created anonymously, likely sometime in the late medieval period. It’s made with a combination of simple materials: ink, pigment, and paper. What I find fascinating here is the economy of means. The artist would have relied on line drawing to convey the scene – the saint, the Christ Child in his “walker,” the profusion of flowers, all rendered with a few, sure strokes. Note how the lines are then simply colored in, with areas of flat, unmodulated pigment. The whole image has an air of lightness, despite the weighty subject. Though it’s anonymous, the hand of the artist is very much present. The charm of the image depends on this direct connection. It shows us that even with rudimentary materials and simple processes, a skilled artist can imbue their work with a sense of the divine. The image reminds us that craft and fine art are not so different, both requiring creative vision.