De Heilige Christoffel draagt het Christuskind

De Heilige Christoffel draagt het Christuskind by Albrecht Dürer is an important example of German graphic art, created in 1511. Classified as a print on paper, this work showcases the technical brilliance Dürer achieved in his later career. As a leading figure of the Northern Renaissance, Dürer transformed the status of the print medium from mere reproductive art into high art, popularizing complex iconography and detailed execution throughout Germany and beyond.

The subject illustrates the legend of Saint Christopher, the patron saint of travelers. Having sworn to serve the greatest king, Christopher agrees to carry a small child across a raging river, only to find the burden becomes increasingly heavy. Dürer depicts the dramatic moment of struggle, where the weight of the Christ Child reveals itself to be the weight of the entire world. Dürer’s meticulous use of line work, characteristic of his output during this period, emphasizes the powerful, straining physique of Christopher against the elements. The finely wrought details and profound theological symbolism demonstrate why these prints were highly valued.

Created during a prolific period following Dürer’s return to Nuremberg, this particular image was widely disseminated, influencing artists across Northern Europe. The clarity and dramatic rendering ensured its popularity among devotional prints of the time. This significant work by the master Dürer is currently held in the esteemed collection of the Rijksmuseum. Copies of these Renaissance prints are often found available through public domain collections worldwide, testifying to the enduring legacy of Dürer’s graphic output.