Master with the Name of Jesus

The artist known only as the Master with the Name of Jesus was a printmaker active at the start of the 16th century, documented solely by a distinctive body of surviving prints. The known period of activity centers around the year 1500.

This engraver is represented in major international institutions, affirming their historical relevance in the early Renaissance period. Thirteen of the Master with the Name of Jesus prints are preserved in museum collections, establishing the artist’s significance within the development of graphic arts. The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds examples of this oeuvre.

The identified works frequently depict religious and classical figures, focusing particularly on narratives of prophecy and faith. Cataloged prints include multiple depictions of the legendary prophets, such as The Delphic Sibyl, The Colophonian Sibyl, The Cumaean Sibyl, and The Cumean Sibyl. Also attributed to the artist is the work St. Nicholas of Bari.

The preservation of these historical prints in permanent collections, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, ensures their status as museum-quality artifacts. Because of their antiquity, these images typically reside in the public domain, allowing for the widespread production of high-quality prints and downloadable artwork derived from the original engravings.