Saint Judas

Saint Judas by Albrecht Dürer is a significant German Renaissance woodcut print, executed during the height of the artist’s graphic production. As the foremost figure of the Northern Renaissance, Dürer elevated the print medium from mere illustration to high art. This particular work engages with traditional religious iconography, presenting a demanding juxtaposition, as the title suggests, between the infamous traitor Judas Iscariot and the concept of sainthood. The classification of this piece as a woodcut confirms Dürer’s technical mastery, as he achieved a remarkable degree of detail and tonal variation, using intricate line work rarely seen in relief printing prior to the 16th century.

The subject matter, focusing on one of the Saints named Judas, likely depicts Saint Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of lost causes, often confused historically with Judas Iscariot. This print exemplifies Dürer’s skill in rendering deeply psychological portraits of men, conveying strong character and inner contemplation through careful handling of line and shadow. The widespread circulation of Dürer’s prints throughout Europe made his visual interpretations of Saints and biblical figures profoundly influential for generations of artists and lay viewers alike. The accessibility and reproducibility of the woodcut format ensured that these powerful images reached a broad public, playing a key role in the dissemination of German Renaissance ideals. Today, this masterwork of graphic arts is housed within the prestigious collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, standing as a core example of Dürer's graphic output and the historic value of early public domain prints.