St. Andrew - Iconography

Saint Andrew, Apostle

The crucifixion of St. Andrew is the main episode in the Golden Legend's life of the saint. Like the source, an early "Acts of Andrew," the story leads with a long dialogue between Andrew and a Roman official in Achaia, in which the former lays out the basics of Christian doctrine, with an emphasis on the saving power of the cross. For this reason, the cross is Andrew's attribute in most portraits and his crucifixion is a common subject in narrative images. Even as early as the 5th century he was depicted with a cross in a group of fresco portraits at St. Paul Outside the Walls, and the 13th century mosaic in the apse of that same basilica relates his crucifixion to Christ's.

Images in the later medieval period give the cross the shape of an X, perhaps influenced by the story of St. Peter's crucifixion upside-down. The X-shaped cross is known as the "cross saltire."

As an apostle St. Andrew is also commonly shown with a book. Just before his death on the cross in the Golden Legend account, he speaks of his yearning for "the purity of contemplation," and a contemplative emphasis may be behind the way he seems to meditate on his book in the Isenbrant Crucifixion and even the monkish garments he wears in some portraits.

The subjects for narrative images of St. Andrew include his crucifixion, his calling by Christ as related in Matthew 4:18-20 (cached), the legendary episodes from his years as a preacher, and miracles effected in his name.

Feast day: November 30

At left, "St. Andrew" - Masaccio, 1426

Other portraits: