This fascinating German woodcut was the title page from a 1517 medical handbook, invoking Saints Cosmas and Damian. The intricate and expressive woodcut is enhanced with simple but engaging hand-painted watercolors. We have looked at this picture many times, spent hours restoring it, and it still gives us pleasure. The medical handbook, in use for over 100 years, was by Hans von Gersdorff. The title was Feldtbůch der Wundtartzney, literally Field Book of Wound Medicine, or more simply in English, Field Book of Surgery.

It was fitting for von Gersdorff to invoke Cosmas and Damian, as they were both doctors as well as Saints in the early Christian Church. They were twins from Arabia, converts who were martyred in Syria during the reign of Emperor Diocletian. Tortured by the authorities, they would not give up their faith, even unto death. They are still mentioned in the Holy Mass to this day. They died about 303 A.D. Their Feast day is September 26. They are, of course, the Patron Saints of doctors, surgeons, and also dentists. (source: Indiana.edu)

** IMPORTANT ** THE IMAGE IS SMALLER THAN THE PAPER! There is a white border of about 0.5" inch for 5x7", 1.3" for 8.5x11", or 1.6" for 11x14" pictures. All Approx! Fine art printers do this because the images are almost never the same rectangular ratio of the standard paper sizes. It also gives the prints a finished look, and lets them look good in a frame without a matt.

- Acid-free paper
- Archival pigments, rated to last for generations.
- Cardboard backer
- Above story of the art
- Enclosed in a tight-fitting, crystal clear bag.

Thanks for your interest!

Thanks!
Sue & John

"In order to communicate the message entrusted to her by Christ, the Church needs art." ~ St. Pope John Paul II

Original image is out-of-copyright. Descriptive text and image alterations (hence the whole new image) © by Sue Kouma Johnson - CatholicArtAndJewelry.