Saint Simon

Saint Simon is a masterful engraving created by Albrecht Dürer in 1523. This highly detailed print exemplifies the technical brilliance of the Northern Renaissance artist in his later period. Dürer’s intense and psychologically rich approach to the subject matter of Christian Saints was profoundly influential, defining visual culture across Europe. The work is executed in the demanding medium of engraving, which involves incising lines directly into a copper plate to achieve precise tonal variation and texture, allowing for high detail and controlled mass reproduction.

The subject, Saint Simon, is traditionally depicted holding a saw, the instrument of his martyrdom. Dürer focuses intently on the psychology and physical presence of the Apostle, rendering the texture of his robes and the gravity of his expression with meticulous care. This intensity highlights the religious fervor common during the early 16th century, a time marked by significant theological upheaval. The artist’s ability to translate monumental scale and emotional depth onto a small copper plate solidified his reputation as the premier German printmaker of his era.

This exceptional piece is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. As one of the most significant devotional prints of the era, Saint Simon demonstrates Dürer’s enduring commitment to graphic arts. Given the historical importance of the artwork, reproductions of this piece are widely accessible to researchers and enthusiasts through public domain initiatives, ensuring the continuous study of the great master's technique. The precision and minute detail found within the finished print remain a cornerstone example of High Renaissance German art.