St. Andrew

The monumental figure of Saint Andrew leans against the X-shaped cross of his martyrdom, characterized by the powerful musculature and dramatic drapery typical of Northern Mannerism. In the midground, the saint is shown being tied to the cross and beaten by executioners, set within a landscape filled with pagan symbols including a sphinx and a circular temple. The engraving employs complex hatching and swelling lines to create a sense of three-dimensional weight and tension.

Hendrick Goltzius was a central figure in the Haarlem Mannerist circle, an artistic movement deeply intertwined with the intellectual and esoteric culture of the late 16th century. This print demonstrates the movement's focus on reconciling classical antiquity—represented by the sphinx and Roman architecture—with Christian theological narratives through highly stylized and symbolic visual language.