The Martyrdom of Saint John, from "The Apocalypse", Latin Edition

The Martyrdom of Saint John, from "The Apocalypse", Latin Edition is a powerful woodcut created by Albrecht Dürer during the years 1506-1516. This print belongs to Dürer’s renowned series illustrating the Book of Revelation, which profoundly revolutionized the status of the graphic arts in the Northern Renaissance. While the initial success of the series dates back to the German edition of 1498, this specific example is drawn from the subsequent Latin edition, reflecting the international appeal and commercial longevity Dürer achieved through his command of the medium.

The dramatic scene centers on the enduring suffering of Saint John, depicting his attempted execution by being boiled in oil under the command of the Roman Emperor Domitian. Dürer uses the inherent graphic contrast of the woodcut technique to heighten the terror and religious intensity of the moment. The dynamic figures of the Men overseeing the punishment, with their detailed armor and expressive gestures, contrast sharply with the central figure of the saint, who appears spiritually untouched by the physical ordeal. Dürer’s careful mastery of line work transformed the simple act of cutting into wood blocks into highly detailed and expressive compositions, setting a new, rigorous standard for the production of religious prints.

This individual sheet from The Apocalypse demonstrates Dürer’s profound influence on subsequent generations of artists who sought to merge narrative clarity with dramatic visual impact. Today, the work is part of the distinguished collection of European prints housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As a major component of art history, this piece, like many masterworks of the period, is classified within the public domain, ensuring broad accessibility to Dürer's revolutionary approach to printmaking.