The Martyrdom of Saint John

The Martyrdom of Saint John by Albrecht Dürer, executed between 1496 and 1498, is a pivotal work of the late fifteenth century. This influential early print is classified as a woodcut, a medium Dürer elevated significantly during this period. As a cornerstone of German graphic arts, this piece exemplifies the explosive artistic energy occurring in the closing years of the 1401 to 1500 era, just prior to the full flowering of the Northern Renaissance.

Dürer revolutionized the production of prints, successfully merging the complex pictorial depth typically found in painting with the stark, linear power of the woodblock medium. The Martyrdom of Saint John belongs to his famous Apocalypse series (Apocalypsis cum figuris), a cycle of fifteen narrative illustrations visually interpreting the Book of Revelation. The dramatic intensity and detailed rendering found in this work established a new benchmark for narrative illustration and graphic design. By employing innovative cross-hatching and varying line thickness, Dürer achieved tonal gradations previously thought impossible in woodcuts, influencing generations of subsequent artists who utilized fine art prints for mass distribution and communication.

The subject matter depicts Saint John the Evangelist being tortured under the Roman Emperor Domitian, a popular legend concerning the author of the Book of Revelation. This powerful composition underscores Dürer's early fame and his ability to translate theological complexity into accessible, impactful imagery that resonated widely with the public. This particular impression of the work is housed in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., cementing its status as a critical example of the period's output and Dürer’s mastery of the graphic arts.