Saint John Devouring the Book

probably c. 1496/1498

Albrecht Dürer

Associated Names
Albrecht Dürer

Artist, German, 1471 - 1528

This drawing features a surreal scene with celestial and terrestrial elements. It shows a landscape with an individual studying a scroll on land, illuminated by light from a radiant celestial face in the sky. Surrounding the central figure are symbolic elements including towering pillars, a sun-like visage, and a figure resembling an angel descending from the clouds. Natural elements such as trees, clouds, water with boats, and an aquatic creature are also depicted. An architectural element resembling a balcony is present in the sky. The drawing is detailed with strong line work and shading, capturing natural textures and fantastical iconography.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    woodcut on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Philip Hofer

  • Dimensions

    sheet (trimmed to block): 40 × 28.6 cm (15 3/4 × 11 1/4 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1941.3.9

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Meder, no. 172

  • Series Title

    The Apocalypse

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

by 1880 at Staatlichen Museen zu Berlin, Kupferstichkabinett, Berlin (Lugt 1607 [1880 stamp with "120" in graphite] and Lugt 2482, duplicate); S.S. Rosenstamm [1860-1919], New York City, (Lugt 2839). Philip Hofer [1898-1984], Cambridge, MA; gift to NGA, 1941.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1973

  • The Apocalypse, University of Maryland Art Gallery, College Park, 1973, no. 15 (catalogue erroneously lists an impression from the Rosenwald Collection).

Bibliography

1932

  • Meder, Joseph. Dürer-Katalog; ein Handbuch über Albrecht Dürers Stiche, Radierungen, Holzschnitte, deren Zustände, Ausgaben und Wasserzeichen. Vienna: Verlag Gilhofer und Ranschburg, 1932. Reprint. New York: Da Capo Press, 1971.

2001

  • Schoch, Rainer, Mattihas Mende, and Anna Scherbaum. Albrecht Dürer: Das druckgraphische Werk. Munich, 2001: vol. 2: no. 120.

Inscriptions

verso, bottom left, in graphite by a later hand: B.70; bottom left, in graphite by a later hand: B-292 [upside down]; at bottom center, in graphite by a later hand: B.70; at bottom right, in graphite by a later hand: B.70

Markings

verso, at lower right: NGA stamp

Wikidata ID

Q18338542

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