Martyrdom of Saint Barbara

1480/1490

German 15th Century

Associated Names
German 15th Century

Artist

This is a painting of a medieval scene near a castle. The image shows a figure in elaborate attire raising a sword towards another figure in a red gown who appears to be in a state of submission, kneeling or praying. In the background is a structure resembling a castle or fortified tower. The ground is depicted with green colors representing grass. The overall style is reminiscent of early European religious or historical illustrations, possibly influenced by German woodcuts from the late Middle Ages.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    woodcut in brown, hand-colored in red lake, green, blue, yellow, gold, and orange

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.586

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Schreiber, no. 1260, State b

Artwork history & notes

Exhibition History

1965

  • Fifteenth-Century Woodcuts and Metalcuts from the Collection of the National Gallery of Art, NGA, 1965-1966, no. 82, repro.

Bibliography

1926

  • Schreiber, Wilhelm Ludwig. Handbuch de Holz- und Metailschnitte des XV Jahrhunderts. 8 vols. Leipzig: Verlag Karl W. Hierseman, 1926-1930.

1965

  • Field, Richard S. Fifteenth Century Woodcuts and Metalcuts from the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.. Exh. cat. Washington: National Gallery of Art, 1965: no. 82.

Wikidata ID

Q64953032

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