Apostel Matthias 1503

Albrecht Durer made this woodcut of Apostel Matthias at an unknown date. Durer's image reflects a period of religious and social upheaval in Europe. The symbols of Matthias—the book and the axe—speak to his identity as both scholar and martyr, reflecting the complexities of faith and sacrifice. Made in Germany, this work comes from a time when the printing press allowed for wider circulation of images, and the cult of the saints was still a vital part of religious life, although it would soon be challenged by the Reformation. Durer's technical skill elevates the status of printmaking as a fine art. Note the delicate rendering of form and texture that brings a new level of naturalism to the woodcut medium. To understand this work more fully, we might delve into the history of the cult of Saint Matthias, comparing this image with others. Considering the institutional shifts of the time would give us further insights into the social life of this image.