Saint Thomas (Apost. Dictus Didymus) - Zacharias Dolendo

A fine sixteenth-century Dutch engraving of Saint Thomas, featuring precise line work and traditional iconography within a circular composition.

This engraving by Zacharias Dolendo depicts Saint Thomas, identified by the Latin inscription 'Apost. Dictus Didymus' encircling the circular frame. Dolendo, a Dutch engraver active in the late sixteenth century, was part of a circle of printmakers influenced by the designs of Jacques de Gheyn II, whose name appears on the plate as the inventor and publisher. The work demonstrates the technical precision characteristic of the period, utilising fine hatching and cross-hatching to model the saint's features and the folds of his drapery.

Saint Thomas is shown in profile, gesturing with his right hand while holding a spear, the traditional attribute associated with his martyrdom in India. The composition is contained within a circular border, a format common for series of apostles or saints intended for devotional use or inclusion in larger print collections. The background features a dense, radial cross-hatched pattern that pushes the figure forward, creating a sense of volume despite the two-dimensional nature of the medium. The anatomical rendering, particularly the hand and the musculature of the arm, reflects the Mannerist interest in expressive form and controlled line work.

Dolendo's approach to the engraving process allows for a high degree of detail in the saint's beard and hair, as well as the subtle textures of the fabric. The inclusion of the number '7' at the base suggests this print was part of a larger set, likely a series of the Twelve Apostles. The collaboration between De Gheyn and Dolendo was a common practice in the Dutch print market, where artists often provided drawings for professional engravers to translate into copper plates. This print offers a clear example of the stylistic conventions prevalent in the Netherlands during the late sixteenth century, focusing on clarity of form and the systematic application of line to define light and shadow.