Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528)

The Death of the Virgin

Nuremberg, 1510

Woodcut

In contrast to the highly-wrought drama of his Apocalypse series, Dürer’s Life of the Virgin cycle incorporates more naturalistic settings, intended to appeal to a broader public. This sorrowful scene shows the Virgin Mary on her death bed surrounded by her apostles. Dürer’s ability to create movement and his knowledge of natural forms is telling from the variation in the figures’ facial expressions and poses, and the folds of their robes.

Set purchased from M.H. Salanan, May 1956, for £20 (Inv. No. 56.18)