Saint Radegonde Exorcising a Demon – Burgkmair Circle, c.1516 Woodcut
€ 1 790
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1516
Sheet size
24 × 21 cm (9.4 × 8.3 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-14278-20
Condition
Good antique condition with even age toning and minor handling wear consistent with a 16th-century sheet. The impression remains strong, with crisp and well-defined lines throughout. Margins trimmed to or near the borderline.
About this sheet
Saint Radegonde Exorcising a Demon – Burgkmair Circle, c.1516 Woodcut
A powerful and visually striking early 16th-century woodcut depicting Saint Radegonde performing an exorcism, traditionally attributed to the circle of Hans Burgkmair the Elder and associated with the workshop of Leonhard Beck. Created circa 1516–1518, this composition belongs to the celebrated imperial series illustrating saints connected to the lineage and patronage of Emperor Maximilian I.
The scene is rich in narrative intensity: Saint Radegonde, haloed and robed, extends her hand in a gesture of spiritual authority as she casts a demon from a possessed woman. The grotesque creature emerges vividly from the woman’s mouth, a dramatic visual motif characteristic of late medieval and early Renaissance devotional imagery. At her feet lies a fallen male figure, possibly symbolizing earthly power subdued before divine intervention, while architectural elements and heraldic motifs reinforce the courtly and imperial context of the series.
The woodcut is executed with remarkable clarity and precision, featuring strong, confident linework, detailed cross-hatching, and a balanced composition that reflects the transition from Gothic to Renaissance aesthetics in German printmaking. The inclusion of heraldic arms further situates the work within the propagandistic and devotional programs commissioned under Maximilian I, where art served both religious and dynastic purposes.
Works from this series are highly regarded for their historical importance and artistic quality, representing a key moment in the development of Northern Renaissance printmaking. The association with Burgkmair—a leading figure in Augsburg and a pioneer in integrating Italian Renaissance influences into German art—adds further significance and collectability.
Condition: Good antique condition with even age toning and minor handling wear consistent with a 16th-century sheet. The impression remains strong, with crisp and well-defined lines throughout. Margins appear trimmed to or near the borderline, as commonly encountered with early woodcuts.
Framing tips: Best displayed in a museum-style presentation with a warm ivory or off-white mount and a dark wood or ebonized frame. A generous mat will enhance the graphic strength of the composition and provide visual breathing space around the image.
Technique: Woodcut Maker: Circle of Hans Burgkmair the Elder / Workshop of Leonhard Beck, Germany, c.1516–1518
