Saint Paul

Saint Paul is a seminal engraving on laid paper created by the German master Albrecht Dürer in 1514. This date places the work firmly within the Northern High Renaissance, a pivotal period when Dürer was deeply engaged with the expressive possibilities of intaglio techniques. The meticulous detail achieved in this particular print demonstrates Dürer’s unparalleled command over the burin, utilizing fine, controlled lines to define form, texture, and shadow. The choice of engraving as a medium allowed the artist to circulate his compositions widely, cementing his reputation across Europe as the foremost graphic artist of his generation.

The subject, the Apostle Saint Paul, is rendered with profound psychological intensity. Dürer typically depicted the figures of the New Testament with realistic, unidealized features, bringing a palpable humanism to religious subjects. The powerful portrait likely showcases Paul holding his attributes, such as the sword, symbolizing his martyrdom and the "Sword of the Spirit," or a scroll and book, representing his epistles. The depth of character conveyed through the precise modeling of his face and the elaborate folds of his drapery exemplifies why Dürer’s prints, including works like Saint Paul, were so highly sought after.

Produced during the influential years spanning 1501 to 1550, this piece belongs to the apex of German Renaissance graphic arts. The widespread circulation of prints allowed the complex theological and humanist ideas championed by Dürer to reach a vast audience, influencing artists and thinkers across the continent. This accessibility also means that many of these influential works are now part of the public domain. Today, this important work is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., where it contributes to the significant study of Dürer's late period prints and his lasting legacy as a transformative artist.