St. Agnes 1470 - 1491

Martin Schongauer created this engraving of St. Agnes in the late fifteenth century, a period of both religious piety and burgeoning print culture in Europe. The print speaks to both. Schongauer’s St. Agnes holds a palm frond, an attribute of martyrdom, and a book, perhaps alluding to her learning. A lamb sits at her feet. Agnes was a popular saint at the time, known for her purity and steadfast faith in the face of persecution, themes that resonated deeply in a society grappling with social change and religious upheaval. This print circulated widely and contributed to the cult of St. Agnes. Schongauer’s attention to detail, the texture of the lamb’s wool, the folds of Agnes’ robes, demonstrate his technical mastery. Prints like these weren’t just devotional objects; they were commodities in an expanding market for art, and Schongauer was one of the most successful artists of his time. To truly understand the image, we can consult historical texts such as Saint's biographies, look at records of printmaking and distribution, and study the cultural context of late medieval Europe. The meaning of this image emerges from the interplay between artistic skill, religious belief, and the social forces that shaped its creation and reception.