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 precise and dramatic engraving created by the renowned German artist Albrecht Dürer in 1513. This print is one of sixteen plates constituting Dürer's famed "Engraved Passion," a sequence of devotional images produced between 1507 and 1513 that showcase his mastery of copperplate technique.

The work illustrates the biblical passage detailing Saint Peter and Saint John the Evangelist's encounter with a man lame from birth, begging outside the Temple gate. Dürer expertly renders the three main Human Figures in dynamic poses, capturing the exact moment Saint Peter performs the miracle of healing. Rather than offering money, the apostle instructs the man to rise in the name of Jesus Christ.

Dürer’s Northern Renaissance style is evident in the meticulous detailing of the figures and the contrasting architectural setting. The immense, classically inspired design of the Temple structure, which dominates the background, underscores the importance of the event, juxtaposing divine action against human-made grandeur. The sharp, precise lines inherent in the engraving medium allowed Dürer to achieve profound textural variation and depth, making the prints highly sought after and enabling the wide dissemination of his religious narratives.

As a critical example of early 16th-century prints, this piece holds substantial historical value, demonstrating the high point of Dürer's printmaking career. The work is held within the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, contributing to the public domain availability of significant Renaissance artistic achievements for scholarly reference and appreciation.