Saint Veronica between Saints Peter and Paul, from "The Small Passion"

Saint Veronica between Saints Peter and Paul, from "The Small Passion" is a powerful woodcut created by Albrecht Dürer in 1510. This image belongs to Dürer's comprehensive series known as The Small Passion, a project consisting of thirty-six woodcuts and a title page that circulated widely throughout Europe. Produced during the height of the German Renaissance, the series leveraged the printmaking medium to disseminate religious iconography to a broad audience. This impression resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The composition centers on the Woman, Saint Veronica, who holds the sudarium or Veil of Veronica, bearing the miraculous image of Christ. This powerful devotional motif is flanked by the two principal Apostles: Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Peter, standing to the left, is identified by the keys of the Kingdom, while Paul, on the right, grasps the Swords associated with his martyrdom and writings.

Dürer’s mastery of the woodcut technique is evident in the dense detail and precise handling of line, which creates strong contrasts and textural richness despite the small scale of the piece. The artist frequently produced these complex prints in parallel with his celebrated engravings, demonstrating his exceptional versatility in graphic media. The resulting image is a compact yet highly dramatic depiction of faith supported by the foundational figures of the Church. The success of The Small Passion ensured Dürer’s status as the preeminent printmaker of the Northern Renaissance, and today, high-quality versions of these historically significant prints are often available through public domain collections.