Saint Eustace (reduced reverse copy in oval)

Saint Eustace (reduced reverse copy in oval) is an influential print created by Albrecht Dürer, dating from the expansive period of 1485-1528. Classified as an engraving, this work demonstrates the precision and technical detail characteristic of Renaissance printmaking techniques. The subject relates to the conversion of the Roman general Placidus, who, while engaged in a hunt, encountered a magnificent stag bearing a crucifix between its antlers, an event that led to his christening as Saint Eustace.

Although this specific piece is a reduced reverse copy of Dürer’s larger, highly famous original masterwork, the composition retains the narrative intensity. The titular saint, one of the mounted Men, is paused mid-pursuit. The central miracle is vividly captured through the encounter with the majestic Deer, an image that signifies spiritual revelation. The scene is further defined by the inclusion of several detailed Dogs, essential figures in the hunting context, and the presence of fine Horses, indicating the high social status of the hunter. In the background, architectural elements, including intricate Castles and fortified structures, situate the scene within a complex Northern Renaissance landscape.

This print serves as a crucial documentation of the widespread circulation and subsequent copying of major European masterworks during the period. Engravings, as highly reproducible prints, allowed Dürer’s revolutionary approach to composition and detail to reach a broad audience across the continent, contributing significantly to the era's artistic and religious dissemination. The image, focusing on the pivotal moment of spiritual transformation, is held within the extensive collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it helps illustrate the enduring legacy of German Renaissance graphic arts.