Artwork
The Death of the Virgin
The Death of the Virgin is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Albrecht Altdorfer. It dates from 1513 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Albrecht Altdorfer’s woodcut *The Death of the Virgin* dates to roughly 1513. Executed on laid paper, the print depicts a solemn gathering around a woman on a bed, framed by a dark arch. The figures, dressed in modest attire, are rendered in stark black‑and‑white lines that emphasize texture and contrast.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents the final moments of the Virgin Mary, surrounded by mourners who kneel or stand in quiet reverence. The arrangement of the group, the subdued gestures, and the absence of elaborate ornamentation focus attention on the emotional gravity of the scene rather than on narrative detail.
Technique & Style
Altdorfer employed the traditional woodcut process, carving the image in relief on a wooden block and pressing ink into the incised surfaces. The resulting prints, characteristic of early 16th‑century German workshops, display crisp line work and a strong sense of depth achieved through careful modulation of hatching and cross‑hatching.
History & Provenance
Created while Altdorfer was active in Regensburg, the print reflects his involvement with the Danube School, a group noted for integrating expansive landscapes into religious subjects. Though primarily known for paintings, Altdorfer’s work in printmaking aligns him with the Nuremberg Little Masters, a circle of artists renowned for small‑scale, highly detailed prints.
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…
