Saint Christopher (1511)
Original title: Saint Christopher
kurzbeschreibung
Dürer's woodcut from 1511 shows Saint Christopher wading through water with the Christ child on his shoulders. The print remains entirely in black and white and measures 21 x 21 cm.
Description
A bearded man in a robe and cap kneels at the center, carrying the child on his back. The child holds a book and raises his right hand in blessing; Christopher supports himself on a long staff. On the shore, other figures kneel, while trees and hills frame the landscape. The layout is symmetrical, and the linework is rich in detail.
Context
In 1511, during a period of high productivity when Dürer was already well known for his print series, he created this woodcut. Saint Christopher was among the popular subjects of the late Middle Ages, as the sight of him promised protection against sudden death. Dürer drew on biblical legends as well as contemporary devotional ideas.
Impact
The print feels calm and solemn, sustained by its symmetrical arrangement and clear contours. The viewer's gaze is directed to the central figure, whose size and stability emphasize the weight of the child.
Technique
Dürer's precise carving produced fine, controlled lines that give the print its delicate linear structure, with shading built from parallel and crossing hatching typical of Renaissance printmaking. This technique brings out the contours of the kneeling saint, the child's blessing gesture, the staff, and the surrounding trees and hills, while keeping the monochrome scene evenly lit and symmetrically ordered.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)