Where can I see Peter and John Healing the Cripple at the Gate of the Temple?

Peter and John Healing the Cripple at the Gate of the Temple is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Peter and John Healing the Cripple at the Gate of the Temple?

Peter and John Healing the Cripple at the Gate of the Temple is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Peter and John Healing the Cripple at the Gate of the Temple

Peter and John Healing the Cripple at the Gate of the Temple is a print by the Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1512 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Albrecht Dürer’s 1512 print titled *Peter and John Healing the Cripple at the Gate of the Temple* presents a biblical episode from the Acts of the Apostles. Executed in black‑and‑white, the work captures the moment when the apostles intervene to restore a lame beggar’s ability to walk, situating the narrative at the entrance of the Jerusalem temple.

Subject & Meaning

The composition illustrates the New Testament story in which Peter and John, recognizing the beggar’s faith, lay hands on his injured leg, effecting a miraculous cure. The scene emphasizes themes of compassion, divine intervention, and the early Christian community’s outreach, reflecting the theological significance of healing as a sign of the apostles’ authority.

Technique & Style

Dürer employs a stark chiaroscuro that models the figures through deep shadows and bright highlights, creating a dramatic contrast typical of his printmaking. The careful line work delineates individual features—a kneeling man clutching his leg, a bearded apostle in a robe, a spectator in a tall hat—while the overall tonal range enhances the tension and hopeful resolution of the moment.

History & Provenance

Created during the height of Dürer’s career, the print follows his earlier successes in woodcut and engraving that established his reputation across Europe. Though specific ownership records are limited, the work is catalogued among Dürer’s religious prints and has been held in major museum collections, illustrating his contribution to the visual culture of the German Renaissance.