St. Christopher Crossing the Stream

Albrecht Dürer

1528

St. Christopher Crossing the Stream by Albrecht Dürer, 1528

Albrecht Dürer brings the legend of St. Christopher to life with incredible muscular detail in this striking print. The giant saint wades through a river, looking up at the Christ child perched on his shoulders, who holds a globe topped with a cross—literally carrying the weight of the world. You can see a tiny hermit in the background holding a lantern, referencing the story where Christopher was told to ferry travelers across a dangerous stream. The way Dürer uses bold, dark lines to show the tension in the saint's legs and back makes you feel the heavy burden of the journey.

Technique
Woodcut
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