Revelation of St. John: Title Page to the Apocalypse

Revelation of St. John: Title Page to the Apocalypse by Albrecht Dürer, executed in 1511, serves as the introduction to one of the most transformative series in the history of German prints. This definitive woodcut exemplifies the technical sophistication Dürer achieved in his mastery of the medium. The work was published in the revised Latin and German editions of the Apocalypse, a project that cemented Dürer’s reputation as a leading figure in the Northern Renaissance. The composition depicted typically shows St. John the Evangelist kneeling before the Virgin Mary, who holds the Christ Child, blending the sacred narrative of the vision with traditional devotional iconography suitable for the frontispiece of a religious text.

While Dürer’s original 1498 edition dramatically showcased the horrors and grandeur of the Biblical end times, the 1511 volume, featuring this refined title page, reinforced his commercial success as a self-publishing artist. Dürer's innovative approach to the woodcut allowed him to achieve unprecedented detail and tonal complexity, effects that rivaled those traditionally associated only with copper engraving. The strong, crisp lines characteristic of the technique are evident, giving the composition a monumental quality even in its print format. This piece is held in the comprehensive collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, preserving a key example of the artistic and religious output of early 16th-century Germany. Today, high-quality prints of this classic work, like other prints from the Revelation of St. John: Title Page to the Apocalypse series, are frequently available through various public domain resources, ensuring continued access to the vision of this Baroque master.