St Christoferus

About this artwork

verzamelaarsmerk, verso midden links, gestempeld: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

Behold the delicate engraving *St Christoferus* Telman von Wesel, between 1520 and 1530. This intimate work, measuring just 78 mm high by 66 mm wide, the revered saint—traditionally depicted as a giant ferrying the Christ Child across a perilous river— in the meticulous tradition of Northern Renaissance printmaking. Engravings like this were revolutionary for their time, allowing designs to be reproduced affordably on copper plates incised with a burin, making religious imagery accessible beyond elite patrons. Telman von Wesel, a lesser-known engraver likely active in the German or Low Countries region, exemplifies the era's focus on devotional art amid the Reformation's stirrings. St. Christopher, patron saint of travelers and a symbol of protection against sudden death, held immense cultural sway in medieval piety, often invoked for safe passage. The print's small scale suggests it was a personal amulet or collector's gem, prized for its fine line work and spiritual potency. Adding to its allure, the verso bears a stamped collector's mark (Lugt 2228) at the middle left, a testament to its journey through esteemed hands over centuries. This rare survival invites us to ponder the quiet devotion of early modern collectors.