Artwork
Saint Veronica between Saints Peter and Paul
Saint Veronica between Saints Peter and Paul is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1510 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Albrecht Dürer’s woodcut, dated 1510, presents a devotional scene in which Saint Veronica stands centrally, flanked by the apostles Peter and Paul. Executed on laid paper, the print combines intricate line work with a clear compositional hierarchy, emphasizing the central figure of the Holy Face of Christ held by Veronica.
Subject & Meaning
The image portrays the legendary encounter in which Veronica offers a cloth bearing the image of Jesus’ face, a motif known as the “Holy Face.” The presence of Peter and Paul, the foundational pillars of the early Church, underscores the work’s emphasis on apostolic authority and the intercession of saints in Christian piety.
Technique & Style
Created with the woodcut method, Dürer incised the design into a wooden block, producing fine, interlacing lines that render delicate textures and intricate patterns. The use of laid paper allows for subtle tonal variation, while the crisp, linear quality reflects Dürer’s mastery of printmaking and his interest in precise, almost architectural detail.
History & Provenance
The print was produced in the early sixteenth century, a period when Dürer was actively exploring religious subjects for both private devotion and wider distribution. Surviving copies are held in several European collections, indicating the work’s circulation among collectors of early German prints.
Context
In 1510, Dürer was responding to the growing demand for devotional imagery that could be reproduced affordably. The inclusion of Saint Veronica, a figure associated with the Passion, aligns the work with contemporary meditative practices, while the pairing with Peter and Paul reflects the theological emphasis on apostolic succession prevalent in the era’s Catholic tradition.
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)
