Artwork

Revelation of St. John: The Woman Clothed with the Sun

Revelation of St. John: The Woman Clothed with the Sun, by Albrecht Dürer, 1511
Revelation of St. John: The Woman Clothed with the Sun, by Albrecht Dürer, 1511

Revelation of St. John: The Woman Clothed with the Sun is a print by the Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1511 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Revelation of St.

About this work

Overview

Revelation of St. John: The Woman Clothed with the Sun is a 1511 engraving by Albrecht Dürer, a prominent German Renaissance artist. This work is part of Dürer's exploration of religious subjects through printmaking.

Subject & Meaning

The engraving illustrates a scene from the Book of Revelation, featuring a winged, crowned woman standing on a rocky outcropping, surrounded by a halo, with a turbulent dragon at her feet. The composition conveys drama and tension, capturing a pivotal moment from the biblical narrative.

Technique & Style

Dürer employed intricate engraving techniques, characterized by detailed folds in the woman's robes and expressive, contorted forms of the dragon. The use of chiaroscuro creates depth, drawing attention to the central figure and enhancing the overall sense of movement and turmoil.

History & Provenance

Created during the height of Dürer's reputation as a printmaker, the work was likely supported by imperial patronage, such as that of Emperor Maximilian I. The engraving is currently part of the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Albrecht Dürer

Artist

Albrecht Dürer

Albrecht Dürer spent his life in Nuremberg, a busy German city where artists traded prints like currency.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.