St. Paul 1470 - 1491

This is Martin Schongauer’s “St. Paul”, an engraving made sometime between 1469 and 1491. Schongauer worked in the late gothic tradition, when there was a growing interest in the individual. Here, St. Paul’s complex identity is presented through his attributes. He holds both a book and a sword, symbols that speak to his intellectual and physical struggles. The book signifies his profound theological contributions, while the sword alludes to his martyrdom, and perhaps more metaphorically, to the idea of him as a warrior for the faith. Consider the saint's downcast eyes and humble bare feet. These details invite us to consider the tension between spiritual authority and personal humility. Schongauer likely wanted to show Paul's humanity and faith. This engraving exists in a historical context of deep religious devotion and the beginnings of humanism, so it reflects both spiritual reverence and an emerging focus on individual experience.