Apostel Filippus met kruis 1517 - 1527

Editor: We are looking at "Apostel Filippus met kruis," or the Apostle Philip with cross, an engraving made between 1517 and 1527 by Marcantonio Raimondi. I’m struck by how much detail he captured in this line-based work. What catches your eye in this print? Curator: I observe, firstly, the masterful use of line to define form and texture. Note how Raimondi employs varied densities and directions of hatching to simulate the drapery’s folds, and to describe the Apostle’s musculature and beard. Do you see how the strategic placement of light and shadow, achieved solely through line, creates a three-dimensional effect? Editor: Yes, it’s almost sculptural, despite being a print. How does this meticulous line work impact your understanding of the piece? Curator: The purity of line directs our attention to the essential form and structure of the composition. Stripped of color and tonal variation, the emphasis falls squarely on the artist’s skill in rendering form through abstract marks. It invites us to consider the intellectual rigor behind its creation. Do you agree? Editor: I see what you mean. Focusing on the lines reveals the artist's technique so clearly, and I also noticed he made Saint Philip the subject which is uncommon when considering popular artistic choices from the Italian Renaissance. Thank you for opening my eyes to what makes it interesting. Curator: A close reading of the lines unveils not only technique but artistic intent, doesn't it? A piece such as this allows us to deeply engage with form itself.