Saint Roch

The engraving Saint Roch is attributed jointly to the Master of the Die and the celebrated High Renaissance master, Raphael. This important work, classified as a print, was executed in the Italian tradition, though the complex attribution dates span a wide period (1452-1592), placing its stylistic and contextual origins firmly within the timeframe of 1401 to 1500. The relationship between the two artists suggests that the Master of the Die served as the reproductive printmaker, translating a design or composition originally conceived by Raphael into the medium of engraving. This process was crucial for disseminating the master painter’s style and compositions to a wider European audience.

As an engraving, the work involves meticulously incising lines into a metal plate, allowing for the precise detail, rich textures, and deep tonal contrasts characteristic of fine 16th-century prints. The use of engraving, a precise and durable medium, allowed for wide replication and robust detail, characteristic of Italian printmaking during this epoch. The detailed artistry of the Master of the Die ensured that Raphael’s influential designs were accessible to a broader audience than his original paintings, serving as critical educational and artistic references for succeeding generations of artists.

The subject, Saint Roch, is a revered figure in Italian culture, frequently invoked as a patron saint against contagious disease, particularly the plague, which remained a recurring terror throughout the Renaissance. Depicting the saint in his traditional iconography-often shown pointing to a plague sore on his leg, perhaps accompanied by his faithful dog-this piece provides insight into the popular devotional practices of the time. This powerful Renaissance print is now part of the distinguished collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., preserving its historical significance. Because the image is now in the public domain, art enthusiasts and scholars globally continue to study this critical example of Renaissance prints and the enduring influence of Raphael's compositional genius.