Saint Christopher

Albrecht Altdorfer

National Gallery of Art

The image shows two figures, one large and one small. The larger figure is carrying the smaller figure on his shoulder. The larger figure has a muscular build, a long beard and hair, and wears a simple garment tied at the waist with rolled-up sleeves. He holds onto a tree trunk for support as he wades through water. The smaller figure, sitting atop the larger figure's shoulder, has curly hair and raises one hand with a gentle gesture. The smaller figure wears a flowing robe. There are no visible pieces of jewelry on the figures. The background includes a village, a church, trees, hills, and a sky with rays emanating from a central sun.