De apostel Simon

About this artwork

verzamelaarsmerk, verso onder, gestempeld: Lugt 2228a

Art Historical Context

**De Apostel Simon** is a exquisite engraving by Lucas van Leyden, the prodigious Dutch artist from Leiden who rose to fame in the early 16th century. Created between 1508 and 1512, this small-scale work (117 mm high by 72 mm wide) the Apostle Simon with remarkable detail and intensity. Van Leyden, often called the "Michelangelo of the North" for his precocious talent—he began engraving at age 9—was a master of the Northern Renaissance, blending meticulous linework with expressive realism influenced by Albrecht Dürer. Engraving, van Leyden's preferred medium, involved incising fine lines into a copper plate, allowing for precise shading and texture through cross-hatching. This technique revolutionized printmaking, producing affordable multiples that spread religious imagery across Europe during a time of growing devotion and collecting. Simon, one of Christ's apostles, is depicted with a focused gaze and dynamic pose, embodying the era's fascination with individual character and biblical narratives. A collector's mark on the verso (Lugt 2228a) hints at its prized status among connoisseurs, underscoring the artwork's enduring appeal. Van Leyden's innovative engravings like this one bridged painting and print, making sacred art accessible and influencing generations of artists.

About the Artist

Lucas van Leyden · 1484–1533

Lucas van Leyden (1494–1533) was a Dutch painter and printmaker who stands among the greatest engravers of the Northern Renaissance. Born in Leiden as either Lucas Hugensz or Lucas Jacobsz, he lived and worked primarily in his native city, achieving international renown that rivaled the German master Albrecht Dürer. Lucas van Leyden revolutionized Netherlandish printmaking and was among the first...