St. Christopher, Facing Right

St. Christopher, Facing Right is an important early work by Albrecht Dürer, dating from the pivotal years between 1491 and 1501. Created using the demanding medium of engraving, this print exemplifies the German artist’s rapid development as a master printmaker. Dürer’s precise handling of the burin defines the volume and texture of the saint, who traditionally carries the Christ Child across a treacherous body of water. The subject of St. Christopher, the patron saint of travelers, is rendered with the characteristic attention to detail associated with the burgeoning Northern Renaissance in Germany.

During this period, Dürer was transitioning from the more robust technique of woodcuts to copperplate engraving, a medium that allowed him to use finely etched lines to achieve greater tonal richness and depth. This work showcases the artist’s early ability to balance the lingering linearity of the Gothic style with the emerging sense of naturalism and volumetric form he absorbed from his travels and studies. The resulting composition demonstrates the careful cross-hatching and varied line weight that would soon define Dürer’s signature mature style.

As one of the foundational figures who elevated printmaking to an autonomous art form in Europe, Dürer’s early technical mastery greatly influenced subsequent generations of artists. This particular example of German cultural history resides within the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Owing to the age and significance of the original, high-quality prints of this work are commonly found within the public domain, ensuring the widespread study of this early master engraving.