St. Christopher c. 1475

Martin Schongauer made this engraving of Saint Christopher sometime in the late 15th century. In the image, the saint wades through the water carrying the Christ Child on his shoulders. This image speaks to the cultural and social context of the late Middle Ages in Europe. Christianity was the dominant religion, shaping people's beliefs and values. Saints like Christopher were venerated as intercessors between God and humanity, with stories of their lives serving as moral examples for the faithful. The image shows how Christian institutions shaped the production and reception of art. The engraving medium, allowed for the wide distribution of religious images, contributing to the spread of religious ideas and practices. To fully understand the engraving, one might study the history of Christian iconography, the lives of the saints, and the development of printmaking techniques. By situating it within its social and institutional context, we can gain a richer appreciation of its meaning and significance.