Artwork Page for The Satyr Family

Details / Information for The Satyr Family

The Satyr Family

1505

Albrecht Dürer

(German, 1471–1528)
Culture
Germany, early 16th Century
Medium
engraving
Measurements
Image: 11.5 x 7 cm (4 1/2 x 2 3/4 in.); Sheet: 12.8 x 8.5 cm (5 1/16 x 3 3/8 in.)
Credit Line
In honor of William Mathewson Milliken 1959.224
Catalogue raisonné
Meder 65b/d
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print

Description

Dürer’s interest in mythological imagery stemmed from his familiarity with the Italian Renaissance. In this ambiguous engraving, Dürer depicted a satyr-a hybrid woodland creature typically associated with lust-in the role of father and family man. Instead of carousing in the forest, he plays music to his newborn child. Dürer’s play on the mother and child theme and the satyr’s unconventional fatherly behavior draws attention to a primal and simplified way of life. In contrast though, the group rests within an inhospitable dense forest where tops of trees are splintered and branches are dead, implying that the figures’ relaxed instinctual approach toward procreation and sexuality remains outside the bounds of Christian virtue.
A vertically oriented print in black ink depicts a forest with a satyr and a nude woman. On the left, the muscular satyr with horns and goat legs stands playing a pipe. To the right, the woman with wavy hair reclines on an animal pelt, nursing an infant. Dense hatching creates deep shadows among background trees. In the upper right, a tablet hanging from a branch displays the year 1505 and a monogram.

The Satyr Family

1505

Albrecht Dürer

(German, 1471–1528)
Germany, early 16th Century

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork