St. Philip and St. James the Less, from the series The Apostles 1445 - 1467

This is Master ES's engraving of St. Philip and St. James the Less, now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The artwork's stark lines and texture immediately draw you into its intricate detail. The composition is anchored by the symmetrical Gothic canopy above the two saints, creating a structured space around them. Consider how Master ES uses line to define form and texture. The engraved lines create the drapery's fall and the saints' facial features. These lines aren't just descriptive; they build depth, articulating the material reality of the robes and the solemnity of the figures. The differing density of lines shades different areas of the figures and the chapel. The structure of the engraving and the visual language used provides us with a way to decode the cultural and religious values of the time, inviting reflection on the relationship between art, faith, and the human condition. The lines, simple yet profound, offer a window into a world of symbolism and belief.