Artwork Page for Coat of Arms with a Skull

Details / Information for Coat of Arms with a Skull

Coat of Arms with a Skull

1503

Albrecht Dürer

(German, 1471–1528)
Culture
Germany, early 16th Century
Medium
engraving
Support
Cream(3) laid paper
Measurements
Sheet: 22.2 x 15.9 cm (8 3/4 x 6 1/4 in.)
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund 1953.9
Catalogue raisonné
Meder 1932, 98
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

In this visual allegory, Dürer creatively entangled themes of love and death. The hairy wild man, a traditional medieval figure of virility, lust, and aggression, plays the role of lover to a maiden dressed in alluring clothing. The skull on the fanciful coat of arms is a bold reminder that vanity and illicit desire carry a mortal price.

Coat of Arms with a Skull

1503

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 email collectionsdata@clevelandart.org.

    To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.

    All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free. For images not available through Open Access, or any image with a color bar, request a digital file from Image Services.