St. Andrew 1505 - 1515

Lucas van Leyden created this engraving of St. Andrew. It is currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The composition of St. Andrew is striking, as he stands with his iconic saltire cross. This gives the image a clear, vertical orientation, yet one softened by the saint’s posture and flowing garments. Van Leyden’s delicate use of hatching and cross-hatching brings an almost palpable texture to the print, defining the saint’s voluminous cloak, the rough-hewn wood of the cross, and even the halo that radiates around St. Andrew’s head. It is through this method that the artist captures both form and light, creating a sense of depth on a flat plane. Consider how the formal structure – the lines and textures – evoke spiritual contemplation. The book he holds, the cross he leans on, these aren't just symbols, they are structural elements guiding our understanding of faith and martyrdom. This is not merely an image of a saint, but a carefully constructed meditation on devotion, designed to engage the viewer in a dialogue about belief and representation.