DISCOVERART

Lucas Cranach the Elder

Saint Paul, from The Martyrdom of the Apostles

c. 1512
Woodcut in black on ivory laid paper
16.3 × 12.7 cm (6.4 × 5 in)

SEE IT IN PERSON

Not currently on view

In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

View at artic.edu ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Lucas Cranach’s depiction of the martyrdom of Saint Matthew gruesomely displays his decapitated head bouncing away from his body, which is still bleeding. This single-sheet impression dates from the first printing of the series in 1512. These woodblocks were later reused in a 1548 printing of The Apostles Creed , which also included tamer views of saints’ enshrined remains from Cranach’s 1509 Reliquary Book .

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by Lucas Cranach the Elder

AdamAdamMartin Luther (1483–1546)Martin Luther (1483–1546)EveEveLukas SpielhausenLukas SpielhausenJudith with the Head of HolofernesJudith with the Head of HolofernesJohann (1498–1537), Duke of SaxonyJohann (1498–1537), Duke of SaxonyPortrait of a ManPortrait of a ManPortrait of Magdalena of Saxony, Wife of Elector Joachim II of BrandenburgPortrait of Magdalena of Saxony, Wife of Elector Joachim II

More like this

Martyrdom of St. MatthewLucas Cranach (German, 1472–1553) — Martyrdom of St. MatthewNailing to the Cross, from The Fall and Redemption of ManAlbrecht Altdorfer — Nailing to the Cross, from The Fall andChrist Nailed on the CrossAlbrecht Altdorfer — Christ Nailed on the CrossMartyrdom of St. James the GreaterLucas Cranach (German, 1472–1553) — Martyrdom of St. James tA Standard-Bearer Flanked by a Lansquenet at each side (copy)Hans Schäufelein — A Standard-Bearer Flanked by a LansquenetThe Bearing of the Cross, from "The Large Passion"Albrecht Dürer — The Bearing of the Cross, from "The Large PThe Betrayal of ChristAlbrecht Dürer — The Betrayal of ChristThe Betrayal of Christ, from "The Large Passion"Albrecht Dürer — The Betrayal of Christ, from "The Large PasEcce Homo, from The Fall and Redemption of ManAlbrecht Altdorfer — Ecce Homo, from The Fall and RedemptionThe King's Sons Shooting Their Father's CorpseMaster MZ — The King's Sons Shooting Their Father's CorpseChrist Before Pilate, from The Fall and Redemption of ManAlbrecht Altdorfer — Christ Before Pilate, from The Fall andThe Small Passion: Christ Before AnnasAlbrecht Dürer (German, 1471–1528) — The Small Passion: Chr