Artwork

Saint Anthony Reading

Saint Anthony Reading, by Albrecht Dürer, ink, 1519
Saint Anthony Reading, by Albrecht Dürer, ink, 1519

Saint Anthony Reading is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1519 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Saint Anthony Reading is an engraving on laid paper created by Albrecht Dürer in 1519. The work portrays a serene scene of Saint Anthony the Great engaged in reading.

Subject & Meaning

The engraving depicts Saint Anthony the Great, an ancient hermit saint, in a moment of quiet contemplation. By showing him reading rather than in hermitic isolation, the piece humanizes the saint, emphasizing his relatability.

Technique & Style

Dürer employed his characteristic engraving technique to create the piece, though specific stylistic innovations or deviations from his usual method are not highlighted in available information.

History & Provenance

Created in 1519, the engraving's provenance details are not provided in the available sources, focusing instead on its creation and subject matter.

Context

Part of Dürer's religious oeuvre, Saint Anthony Reading reflects the Renaissance interest in depicting saints in everyday, accessible scenarios, bridging the divine and the mundane.

Legacy

As a work by Dürer, it contributes to his legacy in printmaking, though its specific impact or influence on subsequent art is not detailed in the provided information.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Albrecht Dürer

Artist

Albrecht Dürer

Albrecht Dürer spent his life in Nuremberg, a busy German city where artists traded prints like currency.