St. Philip

St. Philip, created by the pivotal Renaissance master Albrecht Dürer German, 1471-1528 in 1526, is a remarkable example of the artist's late printmaking style. This exceptional work is classified as an engraving, meticulously executed in black ink upon ivory laid paper. The medium highlights Dürer’s unparalleled precision; using the burin, he achieved subtle variations in tone and texture through dense cross-hatching and expertly controlled line work.

Dürer (1471-1528) was instrumental in elevating the status of printmaking from a functional craft to a celebrated high art, influencing artists across Europe. This small-scale piece belongs to a series focused on apostles and saints, executed late in the artist’s career just two years before his death. The figure of St. Philip is characterized by an introspective intensity, reflecting the artist’s dedication to psychological realism. The meticulous detail applied to the flowing drapery and the saint's countenance demonstrates the enduring influence of the Northern Renaissance tradition within Germany.

Executed during a period of intense religious and political transformation, devotional works like this 1526 engraving served to disseminate sacred imagery and showcase technical brilliance. The final years of Dürer’s life saw him refine his technique to achieve maximum expressive power with minimal means, cementing his legacy as the greatest master of German graphic arts. St. Philip is permanently housed within the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, contributing significantly to the understanding of 16th-century prints. This powerful work remains a testament to Dürer’s mastery of the medium.