Saints Valentine, Stephen, and Maximilian, the Patron Saints of Passau 1503 - 1505

This woodcut by German artist Hans Burgkmair, created between 1503 and 1505, depicts Saints Valentine, Stephen, and Maximilian, the patron saints of Passau. The three saints are shown standing in a row, each holding a staff and wearing ornate robes. The artwork features a complex and intricate decorative frame, characteristic of Burgkmair’s style, and a coat of arms at the bottom, showcasing the city’s heraldry. The visual style of the artwork is strongly influenced by the Northern Renaissance, characterized by detailed, realistic figures and intricate ornamentation. This work, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, highlights Burgkmair's mastery of woodcut and his ability to capture the solemnity and grandeur of religious subjects.