St. John with Serpent in Chalice

c. 1480–1500

after Hans Holbein

(German, c. 1465–1524)

Culture

Germany

Medium

engraving

Measurements

Sheet: 20.3 x 10 cm (8 x 3 15/16 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of The Print Club of Cleveland 1925.991

Catalogue raisonné

Lehrs IX.241.286

State

only state

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Location

Not on view

Did You Know?

Saint John was an especially popular saint throughout the Middle Ages and into the early modern era because his devotion to Christ set an example for all good Christians.

Description

According to legend, John the Evangelist was given a cup of poisoned wine that he drank without harm. As emblems of the tale, John’s chalice symbolizes the Christian faith prevailing over death, signified by the serpent. As a print, Meckenem's representation of Saint John like a sculpture in an architectural niche made it possible for more people to personally own a religious image that they might otherwise only have seen at a church.