Artwork
The Betrothal of the Virgin
The Betrothal of the Virgin is a print by the Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1504 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Betrothal of the Virgin is a woodcut by Albrecht Dürer, part of a series depicting pivotal moments in the Virgin Mary’s life preceding her divine role.
Subject & Meaning
The print captures an intimate scene of Mary’s betrothal to Joseph, an older widower. An angel’s presence underscores the event’s religious significance within Mary’s life narrative.
Technique & Style
As a woodcut, the work exemplifies Dürer’s mastery of the medium, though specific stylistic details of this piece are not highlighted in available descriptions.
History & Provenance
Part of a set of three woodcuts (1959.99.5-7) focusing on Mary’s early life, including her birth and presentation at the temple. Provenance details are not provided.
Context
Created in a context where religious themes dominated art, Dürer’s series on Mary’s life reflects contemporary interest in her human, pre-divine experiences.
Legacy
This woodcut contributes to Dürer’s broader influence on religious art and the narrative of Mary’s life in Renaissance visual culture.
Artist & collection
Artist
Albrecht Dürer spent his life in Nuremberg, a busy German city where artists traded prints like currency.
![Madonna and Child [obverse], by Albrecht Dürer](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/albrecht-durer--madonna-and-child-obverse--d7b8ebf05d22ebe5-w320.webp)
![Lot and His Daughters [reverse], by Albrecht Dürer](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/albrecht-durer--lot-and-his-daughters-reverse--b4ebf9b282faa17a-w320.webp)
