Saints Matthias and Judas Thaddaeus, from The Apostles

Art Historical Context

In the late 15th century, engraver Israhel van Meckenem (c. 1445–1503) crafted intricate prints that bridged the Gothic and Renaissance eras, making religious imagery accessible to a wider audience. *Saints Matthias and Judasaddaeus, from The* is a fine example from one of his series depicting apostolic saints. Produced as an engraving on a modest sheet (5 13/16 × 8 7/16 in.), this undated work exemplifies the medium's rise in Northern Europe, where copper plates allowed for detailed, reproducible devotional art that could adorn homes or personal prayer books. The composition likely portrays the two lesser-known apostles—Matthias, who replaced Judas Iscariot, and Judas Thaddaeus (also called Jude)—with symbolic attributes like open books representing scripture and weapons alluding to their martyrdoms, such as an axe or club. Van Meckenem's precise line work captures textures of robes, halos, and expressions of piety, often showing the saints in contemplative reading poses. These elements invited viewers to meditate on faith amid daily life. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Rogers Fund, 1917), this engraving highlights the cultural role of prints in spreading saintly lore during a time of religious fervor, blending artistry with spiritual instruction for pilgrims and the faithful.

About the Artist

Israhel van Meckenem · 1435–1503

Israhel van Meckenem (c. 1445–1503), also known as Israhel van Meckenem the Younger, was a pioneering German engraver and goldsmith based in Bocholt, near the Dutch border, renowned as the most prolific printmaker of the fifteenth century. Born into a family possibly of Dutch origin, he was the son of Israhel van Meckenem the Elder, a goldsmith who settled in Bocholt in 1457. He trained initially ...