The Revelation of St. John: 2. St. John's Vision of Christ and the Seven Candlesticks

The second woodcut of the series of the Apocalypse has as a subject “St. John's Vision of Christ and the Seven Candlesticks”:

“And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And, being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks ; and in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His Head and his Hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and His Eyes were as a flame of fire; and His Feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His Voice as the sound of many waters. And He had in His Right Hand "Seven Stars"; and out of His Mouth went a sharp two edged Sword; and His Countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength” (Revelation i. 12-14.)

The symbolic vision is rendered by Dürer with strong realism. The seven large candlesticks are in the shape of those common in Catholic churches. They surround the Son of Man, who is seated on the throne in the rainbow, with the Book in His left hand, and the seven stars circle on His right, one star being in the centre of His palm.

The figure of the Saviour is of majestic form, in long flowing clothes, and resembling representations of the ancient art.

St. John, a powerful young man, with long curling hair, fallen over his forehead, kneels before the throne to receive the Revelation, and does not lie at Christ's feet “as dead,” a point where Dürer has deviated from the text of the Apocalypse.