Saint Simon standing facing left, holding a saw and a book

Art Historical Context

Behold *Saint Simon standing facing left, holding a and a book*, a engraving from around 1515–27, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department. by the High Renaissance genius Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino), it was expertly translated into print by engravers Marcantonio Raimondi and Marco D. Raphael, celebrated for his harmonious compositions and ideal beauty in works like the Vatican frescoes, here captures Saint Simon the Zealot—one of Christ's apostles—with poised elegance. The saint stands in profile, clutching a book symbolizing his scriptural wisdom ...