Saint Christopher Seated by a River Bank
1516
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1516
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This print shows a giant kneeling by a river, holding a small child on his shoulder. The water is full of fish and plants, while the bank is crowded with animals—birds, deer, and rabbits. The giant’s face is calm, but the scene around him feels wild and busy. Notice how the artist used sharp lines to show every leaf, scale, and ripple. This isn’t a painting—it’s a woodcut, where the image is carved into wood and printed. Check out woodcut to see how this old printing method worked.
