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Lot Essay
Fine, early impressions of this subject are extremely rare and their condition is frequently compromised. Of the two examples in the British Museum, one has the figure of the saint silhouetted (inv. no. 1845,0809.270), while the other (inv. no. E,1.79) is trimmed into the blank subject at left, not unlike the present impression. According to Nick Stogdon (1996), there are only two fine and complete impressions in existence (Basel and Vienna).
The engraving is part of a small group of engravings by Schongauer of martyr saints, together with Saint Christopher (L. 56), Saint John the Baptist (L. 59), Saint Martin (L. 62), Saint Sebastian (L. 65) and Saint Stephen (L. 66). Of these six, the present Lawrence and Stephen not only share a similar, pared-down composition, dressed in their canonical gowns and holding the instruments of their martyrdom; they are also remarkably similar in their physical appearance and physiognomy.
Three other single-figure engravings of male saints have been offered at Christie's in recent sales:
Saint Martin, partially silhouetted (London, 10 December 2019, lot 173, £12,500), Saint John the Baptist (New York, 29 January 2019, lot 8, $43,750) and Saint Michael (New York, 25 January 2017, lot 7, $211,500).
The engraving is part of a small group of engravings by Schongauer of martyr saints, together with Saint Christopher (L. 56), Saint John the Baptist (L. 59), Saint Martin (L. 62), Saint Sebastian (L. 65) and Saint Stephen (L. 66). Of these six, the present Lawrence and Stephen not only share a similar, pared-down composition, dressed in their canonical gowns and holding the instruments of their martyrdom; they are also remarkably similar in their physical appearance and physiognomy.
Three other single-figure engravings of male saints have been offered at Christie's in recent sales:
Saint Martin, partially silhouetted (London, 10 December 2019, lot 173, £12,500), Saint John the Baptist (New York, 29 January 2019, lot 8, $43,750) and Saint Michael (New York, 25 January 2017, lot 7, $211,500).