Leonhard Beck, “Saint Odile in Prayer”, 1510

Leonhard Beck (1475/80–1542)

“Saint Odile in Prayer”, 1510

Background and Production Insights:

The portrayed figure is Saint Odile—the patron saint of eye afflictions whose name translates to “child of light.” Born blind but miraculously gaining her sight during her baptism, she is depicted here in deep devotion. Jesus appears behind the altar facing her, bearing his crown of thorns. In the background, a mystical scene unfolds as an angel answers the saint's prayers by raising her father, the late 7th-century Duke of Alsace, into heaven.

The heraldic crest at the upper centre displays the historic coat of arms of the Duchy of Alsace (a bend cotised flory), directly referencing Saint Odile’s noble lineage as the daughter of Duke Etichon.

This original woodcut is plate 78 from the celebrated series of 119 imperial woodcut plates (noting variant cataloguing of 123 plates by the Museum of Fine Arts Budapest) titled “Images De Saints Et Saintes Issus De La Famille De L'Empereur Maximilien I.” While the overarching series project was driven by Hans Burgkmair the Elder (1473–1531), the majority of the compositions—including this one—were designed by Leonhard Beck. The block itself was cut by the skilled imperial workshop artisans of the era, including Nicolas Seemann, Hans Frank, Corneille Liefrink, Aléxis Lindt, Josse de Neghker, Wolfgang Resch, and the Taberith brothers. It was conceived to illustrate the ancestral lineage and holy connections of Emperor Maximilian I.

This superb impression originates from the landmark 1799 edition published in Vienna by Franz Xaver Stöckl and the printing house of the Widow Alberti (Anna Alberti, active 1794–1802, continuing the legacy of printer and bookseller Ignaz Alberti). It was pulled directly from the original block carved in 1510 under the expert editorial supervision of Adam von Bartsch.

Technical Details & Condition:

Woodcut on fine laid paper with full margins as issued.

This is a richly inked, exceptionally crisp, and evenly printed impression of near-faultless quality. The sheet features generously wide, clean margins. Aside from minor, light age-toning concentrated along the outermost edges of the sheet, it remains in excellent overall condition—entirely free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, or stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 42 x 30 cm
• Image borderline: 23.9 x 21.8 cm

Numbered above the image borderline:

• Right: “78”

References:

• Royal Academy: Description of the series in which this print features — https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/art-artists/book/images-de-saints-et-saintes-issus-de-la-famille-de-lempereur-maximilien-i
• Guido Messling, “Beck or the Petrarch Master” in “Print Quarterly” , XXI, 2004, 2, pp. 146–154

Price & Shipping:

AU$302 (approximately US$214.90 / €187.41 / £160.75, subject to daily exchange rates). Price includes worldwide express shipping. Please note that destination import duties and local taxes remain the sole responsibility of the buyer.

If you are interested in purchasing this large and startlingly fine woodcut, please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I’ll gladly provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless transaction.