Artwork
Saints Nicholas, Ulrich, and Erasmus
Saints Nicholas, Ulrich, and Erasmus is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1508 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Albrecht Dürer’s woodcut, dated around 1508, depicts three saints—Nicholas, Ulrich, and Erasmus—standing together in a modest architectural setting. Rendered on laid paper, the print is part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington, D.C. The composition is framed by a tall column and a curtained arch, giving the figures a simple yet solemn backdrop.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure, identified as Saint Nicholas, holds a staff and bears a grave expression, while Saints Ulrich and Erasmus flank him, each gesturing outwardly. Their pointed hats and robes signal their ecclesiastical status, and the grouping suggests a devotional focus on intercession, a common theme in early‑sixteenth‑century religious imagery.
Technique & Style
Executed as a woodcut, Dürer incised the design into a block of wood, producing crisp, linear contrasts that define the figures and architectural elements. The precision of the lines reflects Dürer’s mastery of the medium, a popular method for disseminating devotional images in the early 1500s.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1508, the print has survived in good condition on laid paper. It entered the National Gallery of Art’s holdings through acquisition, where it remains accessible for study and public viewing, illustrating Dürer’s role in the spread of print culture during the Northern Renaissance.
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)
