Artwork Page for Saint Dorothy

Details / Information for Saint Dorothy

Saint Dorothy

c. 1519–20

Hans Springinklee

(German, 1540)
Culture
Germany
Medium
Woodcut printed in black oil-based ink and hand colored with ochre wash, heightened with white, silver, and touches of gold
Measurements
Sheet: 24.5 x 15.5 cm (9 5/8 x 6 1/8 in.)
Credit Line
Anne Elizabeth Wilson Memorial Fund 2022.99
Catalogue raisonné
Hollstein 13
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print
?

Did You Know?

The linear shading on the cloak of this saint was applied with ink containing silver, which has tarnished over time.

Description

This deceivingly simple print is a work of printmaking history. To create the golden color of the sheet, the paper was washed with an ochre-colored paint over which the black lines were printed. An artist then embellished the cloak and crown of the saint with silver and gold and other areas with white. On the left side of the print, the child, basket, and thistle held by Saint Dorothy are all contained within a vertical line. This indicates where a part of the block was removable, so that another block featuring different attributes (and thus re-assigning the identity of the female saint) could be inserted and printed. The print’s potential re-purposing shows the popularity of prints, many of which were inserted into prayer books in Renaissance Germany.
A vertically oriented woodcut, rendered in dense black lines and warm ochre washes, depicts Saint Dorothy standing in a landscape. Wearing a crown and circular halo, she holds an open book and a flowering stem as her wavy hair cascades down her robes. To her left, a small figure lifts a flower basket toward her. Grapevines frame the top edge, while white highlights accentuate the details of this hand-colored print.

Saint Dorothy

c. 1519–20

Hans Springinklee

(German, 1540)
Germany

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork