St. Christopher at the Border of a River

Currently not on view

St. Christopher at the Border of a River

c. 1506

Lucas van Leyden (Netherlandish (active Leiden), c. 1494–1533)

Saint Christopher, whose name means "bearer of Christ," was revered as the patron of travelers. In legend, he is described as a Turkish giant who carried travelers across a river near the house of a hermit. One night he carried a small child who grew so heavy that both nearly sank before the child revealed himself as Christ. Lucas's engraving, one of his earliest, shows the ungainly saint reaching for his staff as he sets off to fetch the Christ child, who beckons from the opposite shore.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

St. Christopher at the Border of a River

Date:

c. 1506

Artist:

Lucas van Leyden (Netherlandish (active Leiden), c. 1494–1533)

Medium:

Engraving

Dimensions:

Sheet (cut within platemark): 4 3/8 × 3 5/16 inches (11.1 × 8.4 cm)

Classification:

Prints

Credit Line:

The Muriel and Philip Berman Gift, acquired from the John S. Phillips bequest of 1876 to the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, with funds contributed by Muriel and Philip Berman, gifts (by exchange) of Lisa Norris Elkins, Bryant W. Langston, Samuel S. White 3rd and Vera White, with additional funds contributed by John Howard McFadden, Jr., Thomas Skelton Harrison, and the Philip H. and A.S.W. Rosenbach Foundation, 1985

Accession Number:

1985-52-1917

Geography:

Made in Leiden, Netherlands (historical name, 15th-16th century), Europe

We are always open to learning more about our collections and updating the website. Does this record contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Contact us here.

Please note that this particular artwork might not be on view when you visit. Don’t worry—we have plenty of exhibitions for you to explore.

Currently not on view