Saint Veronica between Saints Peter and Paul, from "The Small Passion"
Original title: Saint Veronica between Saints Peter and Paul, from "The Small Passion"
kurzbeschreibung
Veronica, holding her veil and the cloth, appears here between the apostles Peter and Paul. Albrecht Dürer made this woodcut in 1510 as part of the series 'The Small Passion'. Executed in black and white, the sheet belongs to the artist's printed graphic works.
Description
A symmetrical layout governs the print: Veronica stands at the center, identifiable by her veil and cloth, while Peter with his key and Paul with his sword flank her left and right. The three figures are arranged in a row before a plain architectural setting that suggests a church interior. Delicate lines and hatching shape the garments and give the figures physical presence. Clearly structured and reduced to essentials, the view feels direct.
Context
Created in 1510, this woodcut belongs to Dürer's 'Small Passion', a series of 37 sheets published around 1509–1511. Intended for a broad audience, the series was meant for private devotion. Dürer used the woodcut to spread biblical scenes in large numbers.
Impact
The symmetry and calm alignment of the figures give the sheet a solemn, dignified air. Through the delicate linework, the motif gains a clear, almost graphic elegance that invites the viewer to contemplative looking.
Technique
Der Holzschnitt entsteht durch Schneiden des Motivs in einen Holzstock, wonach dieser abgedruckt wird. Dürers feine Schraffuren bringen Schatten und Texturen hervor und lassen die Attribute der Heiligen – der Schlüssel des Petrus, das Schwert des Paulus und das Schweißtuch der Veronika – sowie die Struktur der Gewänder klar hervortreten.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)