St. Christopher
Medium
engraving
Dimensions
image: 16.1 × 11.2 cm · sheet: 16.1 × 11.2 cm
Classification
Department
Prints
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Dudley P. Allen Fund
Accession Number
1930.574
Tags
male
About this artwork
One of the most popular saints in the Late Middle Ages, Saint Christopher—whose name means "Christ-bearer"—was the patron saint of travelers and pilgrims. A legendary giant, Christopher wished to serve the most powerful king in the world. A hermit advised him to devote his life to Christ and to carry pilgrims and travelers on his back across a dangerous river, guided by the light of the hermit's lantern. Here, Schongauer depicts the story, focusing on the moment before the saint reaches the shor...