Saint Andrew 1480 - 1540

Hans Baldung created this image of Saint Andrew using woodcut, a relief printing technique. The image is made by carving into the surface of a wooden block, and then inking the remaining surface to create a print. Looking closely, you can see how the material has influenced the image. The wood’s grain has a direct relationship to the lines, forms and textures we see on the paper. Baldung has used a sharp tool to cut away areas of the block, leaving raised lines that define the figure of Saint Andrew, his flowing beard, and the rough-hewn cross, his symbol. The process of woodcutting demands a kind of directness; each cut is a commitment, a permanent mark on the block. In its time, printmaking was a relatively democratic medium; compared to painting, it was a more accessible means of disseminating images. Baldung’s Saint Andrew exemplifies how the interplay of material, technique, and social context contributes to the lasting significance of the artwork, a significance beyond the traditional boundaries of fine art.