Jun 7, 2006

Life of the Virgin: The Nativity

Life of the Virgin: The Nativity

1504–1505

Albrecht Dürer

(German, 1471–1528)

Woodcut

Gift of The Print Club of Cleveland 1922.293

Catalogue raisonné: Meder 197

Location

Description

This print depicting Christ’s birth belongs to one of the numerous print series that Albrecht Dürer produced on religious themes. Here, the artist focused on everyday details of the Virgin Mary’s life story to emphasize her humanity. Dürer revolutionized the technique of woodcut with such scenes, which told biblical stories with enough descriptive detail and skillful narrative staging to minimize the need for text. The textures, fine details, and perspectival space of his woodcuts surpassed any examples of the medium before him.

See also
Collection: 
PR - Woodcut
Department: 
Prints
Type of artwork: 
Print
Medium: 
Woodcut

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