Artwork
Great Altar with the Virgin, in a border with SS. Christopher, George, Barbara, Catherine
Great Altar with the Virgin, in a border with SS. Christopher, George, Barbara, Catherine is a print by the Renaissance artist Albrecht Altdorfer. It dates from 1520 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This 1520 print by Albrecht Altdorfer depicts an altarpiece with the Virgin and Child surrounded by four saints. The design mimics a carved wooden altar, complete with ornate decorations and a crowning element.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure, likely the Virgin Mary, holds a child and a globe, while the surrounding saints – Christopher, George, Barbara, and Catherine – each carry symbolic objects. The arrangement suggests a devotional or liturgical context.
Technique & Style
Altdorfer's engraving showcases his intricate technique, characteristic of the Nuremberg Little Masters. The figures are presented in shallow niches, evoking statues in a church, and the overall design reflects the Danube School's emphasis on vividly colored landscapes and detailed ornamentation.
Artist & collection
Artist
Albrecht Altdorfer (c. 1480 – 12 February 1538) was a German painter, engraver and architect of the Renaissance working in Regensburg. Along with Lucas Cranach the Elder and Wolf Huber he is regarded to be the main…
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