John Perceiving the Seven Candlesticks, from The Apocalypse
1523–24
Medium
Woodcut
Dimensions
Sheet: 6 3/8 × 5 1/8 in. (16.2 × 13 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1963
Accession Number
63.705.1
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the turbulent era of the early Reformation, German artist Hans Burgkma, collaborating with printer Silvan Ot, created *John Perceiving the Sevenlesticks, from The Apocalypse* around 1523–24. This woodcut is part of a series illustrating the Book of Revelation, New Testament's vivid prophetic text attributed to John the Evangelist (often depicted as Saint John). Amid rising religious fervor in the Holy Roman Empire, such prints made apocalyptic imagery accessible, fueling both spiritual devotion and debates over faith. The scene captures John's visionary encounter with seven golden candlest...
About the Artist
Hans Burgkmair|Silvan Otmar · 1473–1531
Hans Burgkmair the Elder (1473–1531) was a German painter and printmaker who became one of the leading artists of the Renaissance in Augsburg. Born into a family of painters — his father, Thoman Burgkmair, was a respected artist — he likely received his initial training in his father's workshop. He may also have studied with Martin Schongauer in Colmar, and a probable visit to Italy around 1507 ex...