Artwork

The Holy Family with Two Musician Angels

The Holy Family with Two Musician Angels, by Albrecht Dürer, 1511
The Holy Family with Two Musician Angels, by Albrecht Dürer, 1511

The Holy Family with Two Musician Angels 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.

About this work

Overview

The Holy Family with Two Musician Angels is a print by Albrecht Dürer, featuring the Virgin, Child, and two musician angels.

Subject & Meaning

The scene centers on the Holy Family, with the Virgin and Child as the primary figures. Two cherubs at their feet play musical instruments, a lute and a bagpipe, introducing a celebratory element to the depiction of the family.

Technique & Style

The print showcases Dürer's use of chiaroscuro, a technique that utilizes contrasting light and dark to create depth and volume.

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.