Saint John Swallowing the Book, from "The Apocalypse", Latin Edition by Albrecht Dürer, is one of the most powerful images from the artist's groundbreaking series illustrating the Revelation of John. This exceptional example of early 16th-century German printmaking was executed as a woodcut and reissued in 1511, along with the complete Latin text for the influential publication. Dürer’s mastery of the medium transformed the technical possibilities of the woodcut, treating the surface almost like an engraving to achieve unprecedented detail, dramatic chiaroscuro, and intense emotion.
The scene depicts the climactic moment described in Revelation 10:9-10, where the Evangelist Saint John is commanded by a massive Angel to consume a small, open book. Dürer visualizes this complex theological event with striking clarity. The Angel dominates the composition, its enormous scale and swirling drapery emphasizing the heavenly power behind the decree. John, kneeling below the figure, clasps the sacred book as he prepares to ingest the prophetic words, symbolizing the acceptance of divine wisdom. This specific piece, part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's esteemed collection of prints, demonstrates Dürer’s profound understanding of human anatomy and emotional narrative.
The initial 1498 publication of The Apocalypse series fundamentally redefined narrative print cycles in Europe. The 1511 Latin Edition was created in part to capitalize on the immense success of the original series, disseminating these vivid interpretations of prophecy widely across the continent and cementing Dürer's reputation as the premier Northern Renaissance master. Today, these influential prints are frequently studied for their artistic innovation and historical importance. Due to the age and significance of the original woodcut, many high-quality reproductions derived from this masterwork are now widely available in the public domain, ensuring its continued accessibility for scholarship and study.
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