Open full image Pin

St. Christopher Carrying the Christ Child

Albrecht Dürer

1498

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Northern Renaissance Renaissance Renaissance Religious

Dominant colour

St. Christopher Carrying the Christ Child is a 1498 ink by Albrecht Dürer, a Northern Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Albrecht Dürer
When & what style?: 1498 · Northern Renaissance
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This woodcut shows a giant carrying a small child on his shoulder. The giant’s arms are stretched wide, his hands raised like he’s holding something heavy. Behind him, a tiny town with spires sits by a river, and a small figure waves from the bank. The child’s head is bigger than the giant’s, making him look unusually small. The artist used sharp lines to show muscles and fabric, giving everything a detailed, almost 3D look. Try looking up woodcut to see how this printmaking technique works.