The Martyrdom of St John the Evangelist 1498

Albrecht Dürer’s 1498 woodcut, "The Martyrdom of St. John the Evangelist," depicts the saint being boiled alive in a cauldron. Dürer was a master of the woodcut medium, and his precise, detailed style is on full display in this graphic and dramatic scene. The composition is centered on St. John's suffering, with the surrounding figures acting as witnesses to his martyrdom. This powerful image was likely intended to inspire religious contemplation in its viewers, reminding them of the faith and resilience of early Christian martyrs. The woodcut is a striking example of Northern Renaissance art, a period characterized by its embrace of realism, detail, and religious themes.