Andreas met Andreaskruis
Medium
paper
Dimensions
124; 208
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
blad: hoogte 208 mm x breedte 124 mm
Art Historical Context
Created in 1519 by German Renaissance artist Hans Baldung Grien, this small work on paper depicts Saint Andrew with his traditional attribute, the saltire or X-shaped cross. Measuring only 208 by 124 millimeters, the intimate scale suggests it may have functioned as a drawing, study, or print intended for personal devotion or wider circulation. Baldung Grien, who trained under Albrecht Dürer, was celebrated for his expressive line work and contributions to Northern Renaissance printmaking. Religious subjects like this one allowed him to explore dramatic poses and symbolic details that resonated with viewers during a time of intense spiritual reflection. The choice of paper as a medium reflects the period’s growing interest in affordable graphic arts, which helped disseminate biblical stories across Europe. Through precise hatching and careful modeling, the artist conveys both the physical presence of the saint and the quiet strength associated with his martyrdom.
About the Artist
Hans Baldung Grien
Hans Baldung, known by the nickname Grien, was born around 1484 or 1485 in Schwäbisch Gmünd, in the Swabia region of what is now Germany. He came from a distinguished academic family — his father Johann Baldung was a university-educated jurist who served as legal adviser to the bishop of Strasbourg — making Hans a notable exception as the first male in his family not to attend university, and one ...