Saint James Major, looking upwards and holding a staff, from "Christ, the Virgin, and Thirteen Apostles" 1600 - 1640

This print, "Saint James Major, looking upwards and holding a staff, from Christ, the Virgin, and Thirteen Apostles," presents an oval portrait of the saint rendered with fine, delicate lines. The composition focuses on the texture and detail of James's face and beard, creating a sense of depth and age. The artist uses hatching and cross-hatching to model forms, the direction and density of the lines suggesting both light and shadow and the material qualities of skin, hair, and fabric. Note the saint’s upward gaze and the rays emanating from above, which together create a visual tension between the earthly and divine. The choice of the oval format and the precise, controlled lines contribute to a sense of formal order and classical restraint. The use of line to depict the play of light and shadow can be viewed as a visual signifier of spiritual awakening, a key element in Baroque art. This print exemplifies how formal elements combine to create a symbolic representation rooted in its historical context.