The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 16, 2024

St. Christopher

St. Christopher

1475–80
(German, c.1450–1491)
Germany, 15th century
engraving
Image: 16.1 x 11.2 cm (6 5/16 x 4 7/16 in.); Sheet: 16.1 x 11.2 cm (6 5/16 x 4 7/16 in.)
Dudley P. Allen Fund 1930.574
Catalogue raisonné: Lehrs V.252.56
Location: not on view

Did You Know?

Prints depicting St. Christopher were believed to protect from the mala mors (dying suddenly without receiving the last rites), which was of particular concern to pilgrims and travelers.

Description

One of the most popular saints in the Late Middle Ages, Saint Christopher—whose name means "Christ-bearer"—was the patron saint of travelers and pilgrims. A legendary giant, Christopher wished to serve the most powerful king in the world. A hermit advised him to devote his life to Christ and to carry pilgrims and travelers on his back across a dangerous river, guided by the light of the hermit's lantern. Here, Schongauer depicts the story, focusing on the moment before the saint reaches the shore with the child on his back. According to legend, when the saint finally reached the far shore, he exclaimed that he felt he had carried the whole weight of the world on his back. Here, the cruciform rays of light around the child's head reveal him as Christ.
  • Sacred and Profane in Late Gothic Prints. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (June 2-August 2, 1987).
    The Silver Jubilee Exhibition. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (June 23-September 28, 1941).
    15th Century German Engravings. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (November 15-December 11, 1938).
    Inaugural Exhibition of the New Print Gallery - Prints from the Museum Collection. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (August 10-November 13, 1938).
    15th Century German and Netherlands Prints from the Museum Collection. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (October 11-28, 1935).
    Italian and German Prints of the 15th Century. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (November 29, 1933-January 3, 1934).
  • {{cite web|title=St. Christopher|url=false|author=Martin Schongauer|year=1475–80|access-date=16 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1930.574