Revelation of St. John: Beast with Ram's Horns

The influential woodcut Revelation of St. John: Beast with Ram's Horns by Albrecht Dürer is a powerful example of German Renaissance printmaking, dated 1511. Though Dürer first released his renowned Apocalypse series in 1498, the 1511 date corresponds to the definitive second edition, printed with Latin text, which solidified its international impact. This work exemplifies the profound technical and conceptual advancements the artist brought to the woodcut medium, elevating it from a simple illustrative tool to a sophisticated art form capable of rendering deep shadows and complex anatomical detail.

Derived from the thirteenth chapter of the Book of Revelation, the scene visualizes the terrifying rise of the False Prophet, who is depicted with ram’s horns, compelling the masses to worship the first Beast, a multi-headed, monstrous entity rising from the sea. Dürer fills the composition with dramatic tension, using meticulously rendered parallel and cross-hatching lines to define volume and contrast between the divine and demonic forces. The German master effectively captured the pervasive religious anxiety and eschatological intensity prevalent in Europe at the turn of the sixteenth century, providing an immersive visual interpretation of prophecy.

As one of the most widely disseminated prints of its era, this series remains fundamental to the history of the graphic arts. This impression of the woodcut is held within the distinguished permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, representing a high point in Dürer’s mastery of the print medium.