Saint James Major 1515 - 1540

Parmigianino made this small etching of Saint James Major in Italy sometime in the 1520s or 30s. It portrays the saint, viewed from the back, with his traditional staff. The print was made during a time of religious upheaval in Europe, as new forms of Protestant Christianity challenged the religious authority of the Catholic Church. Printmaking was crucial to these challenges: inexpensive prints allowed reformers to disseminate their ideas widely. But printmaking also served to renew traditional Catholic imagery. Parmigianino himself was deeply religious, and this print may have been intended as an affirmation of traditional faith during a time of uncertainty. Art historians consider the social and political context when interpreting art. We use a range of resources, including letters, treatises, and financial records to shed light on the conditions in which art was made. The meaning of art is never fixed; it evolves as society changes and new evidence comes to light.