Saint Thomas

Saint Thomas, executed by Hans Holbein the Younger in 1527, is an exemplary drawing that showcases the artist's meticulous preparatory methods during the Northern Renaissance. This study of a key religious figure employs a sophisticated mixed media technique: pen and black ink establishes the contours and fine detail, while brush and gray wash provide deep shading and volumetric form. The careful use of white gouache heightening creates brilliant illumination, giving the figure a sculpted, three-dimensional presence.

As one of the leading German Renaissance masters, Younger often produced such detailed life studies for his larger commissions, whether for religious panels or for his extensive career in portraiture. The depiction of the saint, a figure representative of religious men during the period, demonstrates Holbein’s characteristic precision in rendering expression and drapery. The powerful, yet restrained, composition is typical of the Basel period before the artist cemented his fame in England.

This historically significant work resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified as a drawing within the museum's renowned collection. The piece offers invaluable insight into the draughtsmanship that defined Younger's career. Due to its status and age, high-resolution images of this masterwork frequently enter the public domain, making it accessible worldwide for scholars and allowing enthusiasts to obtain quality prints that replicate the intensity of Holbein’s original ink lines.