Artwork
Saint Erasmus
Saint Erasmus is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Albrecht Dürer's woodcut 'Saint Erasmus' dates to around 1500. It is a print on a religious theme, executed in the woodcut medium.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts Saint Erasmus of Formiae, a historical bishop, in a dramatic representation. The saint is shown with his intestines spilling out, a gruesome detail that reflects the saint's martyrdom.
Technique & Style
The woodcut technique is characterized by the use of raised wood surfaces to hold ink, resulting in bold lines and detailed textures. Dürer's rendering of the saint's entrails is notable for its realism and graphic detail.
Context
The image reflects the artistic and cultural tendencies of the German Renaissance, which often combined realistic depictions of the human body with religious themes and narratives.
Artist & collection
Artist
Albrecht Dürer spent his life in Nuremberg, a busy German city where artists traded prints like currency.
![Madonna and Child [obverse], by Albrecht Dürer](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/albrecht-durer--madonna-and-child-obverse--d7b8ebf05d22ebe5-w320.webp)
![Lot and His Daughters [reverse], by Albrecht Dürer](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/albrecht-durer--lot-and-his-daughters-reverse--b4ebf9b282faa17a-w320.webp)
