description Four Apostles (Dürer) Overview
Albrecht Dürer's Four Apostles is a pair of oil paintings completed in 1526, depicting John, Peter, Paul, and Mark as monumental figures. The work was presented by Dürer as a gift to the city council of Nuremberg during the Protestant Reformation, though it contains no explicit religious narrative. The panels include German inscriptions warning against false prophets, reflecting religious tensions of the era, and demonstrate Dürer's technical precision in depicting textures, expressions, and physiques.
help Four Apostles (Dürer) FAQ
Who are the four apostles depicted in Albrecht Dürer's panels?
The two large panels depict Saints John and Peter on the left panel, and Saints Paul and Mark on the right. Dürer painted them in 1526, near the very end of his life.
Where are Dürer's Four Apostles currently located?
The paintings are currently housed in the Alte Pinakothek museum in Munich, Germany. Dürer originally gifted them to the city council of Nuremberg in 1526.
Why did Dürer paint the Four Apostles?
Dürer created the panels as a gift to show his support for the Protestant Reformation initiated by Martin Luther. The inscriptions at the bottom of the panels warn against "false prophets," reflecting the intense religious conflicts of the era.
What medium did Albrecht Dürer use for the Four Apostles?
The works are large-scale oil paintings on wood panels. They are widely considered Dürer's final and greatest masterpieces in the medium of painting.
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