Saint George Standing

Saint George Standing by Albrecht Dürer is a remarkable example of Renaissance printmaking, executed as a highly detailed engraving on laid paper between 1502 and 1503. This piece exemplifies Dürer's technical mastery during a highly productive period in the early 16th century (1501 to 1550). The precision required for engraving, a demanding discipline within the history of prints, allowed the German artist to achieve unparalleled textural richness and visual complexity in the rendering of his subjects.

The subject is Saint George, the legendary Christian martyr and soldier, often revered as a symbol of faith triumphing over evil. In this particular representation, Dürer presents the saint standing, characterized by stoicism and knightly virtue, likely depicted before or after his famous combat with the dragon. Dürer meticulously renders the figure's contemporary armor and accompanying drapery, integrating the idealized forms favored by the Italian Renaissance with the Northern European preoccupation for minute surface details. Unlike Dürer’s more dynamic composition, Saint George on Horseback, this depiction focuses solely on the isolated knightly figure, emphasizing a quiet contemplation rather than immediate action.

As one of the most celebrated European artists of his time, Dürer circulated his prints widely across the continent, ensuring his powerful influence extended throughout the 16th century. Works classified as prints, such as this engraving, were crucial in establishing and distributing the artist's international reputation long after the period of 1501 to 1550 ended. The exceptional quality of this impression of Saint George Standing is preserved today within the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. Masterpieces by Dürer are considered foundational documents of the Northern Renaissance, many now widely accessible as public domain resources.