Saint Peter and Saint John at the Gate of the Temple, from "The Passion"

Saint Peter and Saint John at the Gate of the Temple, from "The Passion" is a remarkable engraving created by Albrecht Dürer in 1513. This piece showcases Dürer’s profound skill as a printmaker during the Northern Renaissance, illustrating his dedication to developing the aesthetic possibilities of the burin on copper plate. Classified as a highly detailed print, the work is part of a larger series dedicated to the events surrounding the life of Christ.

The composition centers on the figures of Saint Peter and Saint John, highlighting their apostolic authority shortly after Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. Though titled from "The Passion," the subject traditionally depicts the healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple, an act described in the Acts of the Apostles. Dürer focuses intense detail on the monumental architectural setting, utilizing complex line work and deep cross-hatching to convey the texture of the stone temple facade and the dramatic contrast of light and shadow.

Produced during one of the most productive phases of his career, this print is admired for its precision and dramatic clarity, confirming its status as a cornerstone of 16th-century German graphic arts. Dürer mastered the medium of engraving, enabling him to distribute his technically sophisticated images widely across Europe. This specific impression is held in the renowned collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Like many historical prints of this era, the work often falls under public domain status, allowing scholars and enthusiasts worldwide to study this definitive piece by Dürer.