Artwork
Saints Nicholas, Ulrich, and Erasmus
Saints Nicholas, Ulrich, and Erasmus is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1508 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:in block, bottom right, on tablet: AD [artist's monogram]; verso, lower center, in graphite by a later hand: C 17763; verso, lower right, in graphite by a later hand: 20 [encircled]; verso, lower right, in graphite by a later hand: B. 118; verso, lower right, in graphite by a later hand: 57; verso, lower center, in graphite by a later hand: [illegible] 3 Proofs [?]; verso, lower right, in graphite by a later hand: 4; verso, lower right, in graphite by a later hand: 53; verso, lower right, in graphite by a later hand: [nr?] 1524; verso, bottom left, in graphite by a later hand: SCO [?]
About this work
Subject & Meaning
This religious print from the German Renaissance depicts three specific holy figures: Saint Nicholas, Saint Ulrich of Augsburg, and Saint Erasmus of Formiae.
This religious print from the German Renaissance depicts three specific holy figures: Saint Nicholas, Saint Ulrich of Augsburg, and Saint Erasmus of Formiae. The work identifies its main subjects generally as saints and bishops, reflecting their ecclesiastical status within the Catholic tradition. Created in Nuremberg around 1508, the composition serves as a devotional image representing these revered intercessors.
The grouping of these three distinct saints in a single woodcut highlights their shared significance in religious art of the period.
Technique & Style
The work is a woodcut executed on laid paper, printed in black ink. It depicts the saints Nicholas, Ulrich, and Erasmus within a religious composition typical of German Renaissance print practice. The image measures 21.1 cm in height by 14.2 cm in width and was produced in Nuremberg circa 1508.
The handling of line and spatial arrangement reflect Dürer's mastery of chiaroscuro and detail, while the stylized forms and symbolic attributes convey each saint's identity. The print is part of the National Gallery of Art's collection, having entered the museum in 1981 from P. & D. Colnaghi & Co., Ltd.
History & Provenance
Albrecht Dürer created this woodcut in Nuremberg around 1508. While some records suggest a range beginning in 1507, the generally accepted date of creation is circa 1508. The work was produced on laid paper using ink.
Regarding its ownership history, one specific impression was held by the firm P. & D. Colnaghi & Co., Ltd. This example was subsequently purchased by the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., in 1981, where it remains part of the collection.
The print is held in the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., where it is catalogued under accession number 1981.78. It entered the collection through purchase from P. & D. Colnaghi & Co., Ltd. in 1981. The work has been featured in exhibitions of German Renaissance prints at the National Gallery of Art, including a 1982 showcase of Dürer’s graphic oeuvre and a 2003 presentation on Northern European religious imagery.
Context
The print is recognized as a significant example of German Renaissance graphic art, reflecting Albrecht Dürer's mastery of woodcut technique and his integration of religious themes within the broader cultural movement of early 16th-century Europe. Scholarship highlights its role within Dürer's oeuvre as part of his mature period, emphasizing the technical innovation and symbolic depth characteristic of his work. The piece is held in major institutions including the National Gallery of Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, underscoring its importance in both historical and contemporary art discourse.
Overview
Albrecht Dürer’s woodcut, dated around 1508, depicts three saints, Nicholas, Ulrich, and Erasmus, standing together in a modest architectural setting. Rendered on laid paper, the print is part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington, D.C. The composition is framed by a tall column and a curtained arch, giving the figures a simple yet solemn backdrop.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Albrecht Dürer spent his life in Nuremberg, a busy German city where artists traded prints like currency.
![Madonna and Child [obverse], by Albrecht Dürer](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/albrecht-durer--madonna-and-child-obverse--d7b8ebf05d22ebe5-w320.webp)
![Lot and His Daughters [reverse], by Albrecht Dürer](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/albrecht-durer--lot-and-his-daughters-reverse--b4ebf9b282faa17a-w320.webp)
