The Annunciation, from "The Life of the Virgin"
1511
Medium
Woodcut
Dimensions
sheet: 16 1/2 x 11 3/4 in. (41.9 x 29.8 cm) block: 11 3/4 x 8 1/4 in. (29.8 x 21 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The George Khuner Collection, Gift of Mrs. George Khuner, 1975
Accession Number
1975.653.5
Tags
Art Historical Context
Albrecht Dürer's *The Annunciation, fromThe Life of the Virgin (1511) captures a pivotal biblical moment: the angel Gabriel announcing to the Virgin Mary that she conceive Jesus. This woodcut is part of Dürer's acclaimed series of 20 prints depicting Mary's life, commissioned for devotional use and reflecting the Northern Renaissance's blend of spiritual depth and meticulous realism. At 11 3/4 x 8 1/4 inches, it's a masterful example of how Dürer transformed humble woodcuts into high art, rivaling paintings in detail and emotion. Dürer's genius shines in his innovative woodcut technique. Carv...
About the Artist
Albrecht Dürer · 1471–1528
Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528) stands as the preeminent figure of the Northern Renaissance and arguably the most influential artist in the history of printmaking. Born in Nuremberg on May 21, 1471, and dying in the same city on April 6, 1528, Dürer revolutionized the status of the artist in Northern Europe, transforming printmaking from a commercial craft into an independent fine art and establishing ...