Presentation in the Temple, from The Fall and Salvation of Mankind Through the Life and Passion of Christ

Art Historical Context

Albrecht Altdor, a pioneering figure of the Northern Renaissance and leader of the Danube School, this intricate woodcut as part of his series *The Fall and Salvation of M Through the Life and Passion Christ*. Dating to the early 16th, the print depicts the biblical Presentation in the Temple (Luke 2:22–38), where the infant Jesus is brought by Mary and Joseph to the Jerusalem Temple for ritual purification Surrounding figures, including prophet Simeon and prophetess Anna, recognize the child as the Messiah amid the architectural grandeur of the temple. Measuring just 3 1/8 × 2 3/16 inches, this diminutive woodcut exemplifies Altdorfer's mastery of the medium, which allowed for affordable, mass-produced devotional images during the Reformation era. His fine lines capture dramatic depth and atmospheric light, blending religious narrative with his signature landscape elements—evident in the temple's arches and crowded human forms tagged with Christ, temples, men, and women. Woodcuts like this were prized for personal piety, portable for pilgrims or private altars. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art via the Rogers Fund in 1920, this print highlights Altdorfer's innovative fusion of spirituality and naturalism, influencing later printmakers and offering a window into early modern faith and artistry.

About the Artist

Albrecht Altdorfer · 1475–1538

Albrecht Altdorfer (c. 1480–1538) was a German painter, printmaker, and draftsman who stands as one of the founders of landscape painting as an independent genre. Born in Regensburg or nearby Altdorf, he learned art from his father Ulrich, a painter and miniaturist. Altdorfer spent most of his life in Regensburg, becoming a citizen in 1505 and later serving as the city's official architect and a m...