Four Apostles – John the Evangelist and Peter, Mark and Paul Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528)

This diptych painting, Four Apostles, by Albrecht Dürer, presents two distinct pairings of figures, likely Christs apostles, rendered in rich, flowing robes against a dark background.
On the left panel, John the Evangelist, recognizable by his youthful features and fair hair, stands in a vibrant red cloak over a green tunic. He is intensely focused on a book of scripture he holds, with an elder figure, believed to be Peter, looking over his shoulder at the text. Peter is depicted with a gray beard and is holding a large key, a traditional symbol of his office as the rock of the Church. Their serious expressions and the depicted texts suggest a moment of deep theological reflection or discussion.
The right panel features two more austere figures. The foremost, a bald man with a long gray beard, is clad in a flowing white robe. He holds a book and gazes intently to the left, seemingly in deep thought or disagreement with the figure behind him. This figure, partially obscured, has dark, curly hair and a beard, and his gaze is directed directly at the viewer with a somewhat wary or questioning expression. He appears to be holding a sword hilt, a possible allusion to martyrdom.
The subtext of the painting is deeply rooted in Lutheran theology, a significant aspect given Dürers Protestant leanings and the historical context of the Reformation. Dürer intended this work to convey a message about the core tenets of faith. John the Evangelist, representing love and the divine word, is paired with Peter, who embodies the authority and structure of the Church grounded in Christs teachings. This pairing emphasizes Peters role as the keeper of the keys, symbolizing his leadership, but also highlights the primacy of scripture as illuminated by John.
In contrast, the figures on the right-hand panel are often interpreted as Paul and Mark. Paul, with his emphasis on faith and grace, is depicted with a sword, symbolizing his martyrdom and his powerful, at times combative, preaching. He is shown looking away from the scripture, perhaps signifying his focus on spiritual revelation rather than solely textual interpretation. The figure of Mark, often associated with the Gospel of Mark and a witness to Peter, has a more agitated expression, possibly representing the anxieties and challenges faced by the early Church or the uncertainties of theological interpretation.
Dürers arrangement of the apostles, with John and Peter emphasizing the importance of scripture and church authority, and Paul and Mark potentially representing the challenges and complexities of faith and doctrine within the wider Christian community, can be seen as a visual representation of important theological debates of the era. The painting can be interpreted as a call to prioritize scripture (verbum Dei - the Word of God) and faith, while acknowledging the human element of doubt and the structure of the Church, all within the context of the dawning Reformation.