POPULAR WOODCUT IMAGE

[Sanctus Jacobus Minor Galileus:] Sanctus Iacobus Minor Galileus. VIII. [Italy] [c.1650].

Probably one in a series of prints of the Apostles (as indicated by the Roman numeral), this striking and simple Early Modern woodcut portrait is an untraced image of Saint James the Less. Its good size and clear features suggest it was produced for hanging on a wall. The saint carries his attribute of a fuller's club, which by Christian tradition he was beaten to death with while preaching the Gospel in Lower Egypt.

Details

Woodcut print, 25.5 x 19 cms depicting subject carrying fuller's club, within an oval. Title as above, within frame of oval. Foliage design printed at borders. All within printed double-border. Verso blank. A light diagonal stain visible from verso, but very good condition.