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The Penance of St. John Chrysostom, c. 1497. Creator: Albrecht Dürer (German, 1471-1528)
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The Penance of St. John Chrysostom, c. 1497. Creator: Albrecht Dürer (German, 1471-1528)
The Penance of St. John Chrysostom, c. 1497. In the late Middle Ages an unusual legend was assigned to John Chrysostom, a hermit saint who lived in the wilderness. The story related that the daughter of the emperor lost her way during a storm and found shelter in the saints cave. In weakness, he betrayed his vow of chastity and in guilt, threw her off a cliff. To repent, John crawled like a beast in the wild for many years-seen at left. When the girl was miraculously found alive with her child, John was absolved of his sins. Durers focus on the mother and child is unprecedented in representations of the story. Although scholars generally view this print as an opportunity for the artist to depict the female nude, it is also possible that Durer sought to illustrate a mothers pure love and its virtuous triumph over sin
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Media ID 19646213
© Heritage Art/Heritage Images
1471 1528 Albrecht Durer Albrecht Dürer German Late 15th Early 16th Century
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The Penance of St. John Chrysostom, c. 1497
EDITORS COMMENTS
is a captivating print by Albrecht Dürer that delves into the complex emotions of guilt, redemption, and the power of maternal love. The artwork portrays an unusual legend surrounding John Chrysostom, a hermit saint who succumbed to temptation and betrayed his vow of chastity. Dürer's focus on the mother and child in this representation is unprecedented for this story. While some scholars argue that it provided an opportunity for the artist to depict the female nude, there is another interpretation worth considering: Dürer may have sought to illustrate a mother's pure love and its virtuous triumph over sin. The scene depicts John crawling like a beast in the wild as he repents for his actions. Meanwhile, at left, we see the miraculous reunion between the girl who had lost her way during a storm and found shelter with John Chrysostom in his cave. Astonishingly alive with her child despite being thrown off a cliff by him earlier. Through intricate engravings characteristic of Dürer's style, he captures both sorrow and hope within this narrative. The delicate lines emphasize not only physical details but also emotional depth. "The Penance of St. John Chrysostom" invites viewers to reflect on themes such as forgiveness, redemption, and unconditional love—a testament to Dürer's ability to convey profound human experiences through art.
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