Martyrdom of Saint Cipriano from Heiligenleben (Lives of the Saints), Plate 18 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century

Prints and Drawings

1481, portfolio assembled 1929

Follower of Master of the Boccaccio Illustration (Netherlandish, active c. 1470–1490)
printed and published by Konrad Fyner (German, active c. 1473–1483)
original text by Jacobus de Voragine (Italian, c. 1230–1298)
portfolio text by Wilhelm Ludwig Schreiber (German, 1855–1932)

This simple woodcut book illustration, from an early printed edition of Jacobus de Voragine’s famous Lives of the Saints, depicts the martyrdom of the now little-known Saint Cipriano. This theologian quickly rose in the ranks of the Church, becoming bishop of Carthage in A.D. 248. After serving for a decade, Cipriano fled and survived the first organized persecution of Christians by the Romans. Nonetheless, the Roman Emperor Valerian eventually apprehended him in another purge. Surrounded by thousands of his devoted citizens, Cipriano bravely accepted his death sentence, knelt in prayer, and was beheaded with one powerful stroke.

Status: Currently Off View
Department: Prints and Drawings

Artist: Master of the Boccaccio Illustrations
Title: Martyrdom of Saint Cipriano from Heiligenleben (Lives of the Saints), Plate 18 from Woodcuts from Books of the 15th Century
Origin: Netherlandish
Date: Original 1481
Medium: Woodcut in black, and letterpress in black (recto and verso), on cream laid paper
Dimensions: 82 × 72 mm (image); 310 × 213 mm (sheet)
Credit Line: Print Sales Miscellaneous Fund
Reference Number: 1938.86.18
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Schreiber 4304

Hain 9974

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