Artwork
The Visitation
The Visitation 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
This woodcut shows two pregnant women standing close. One holds a staff. Their heads almost touch. The background is dark, but their clothes stand out.
It’s a small print—only about 6 by 4 inches. Albrecht Altdorfer made it around 1513. Woodcuts were cheap back then. People could buy these like postcards.
See how the folds of cloth catch the light? Try finding that detail in person.
Altdorfer, Albrecht
Overview
The Visitation is a woodcut on laid paper created by Albrecht Altdorfer around 1513. It measures approximately 6 by 4 inches, a relatively small size that was typical for woodcuts of the time.
Subject & Meaning
The woodcut depicts the biblical scene of the Visitation, where the Virgin Mary and her cousin Elizabeth meet. The two pregnant women are shown standing close together, with one holding a staff, their heads almost touching.
Technique & Style
The print showcases Altdorfer's skill in capturing the play of light on fabric, with the folds of the women's clothing standing out against a dark background. The level of detail achieved in the woodcut reflects Altdorfer's experience with intricate engravings.
Context
As a member of the Danube School, Altdorfer often set biblical scenes against vivid landscapes. The Visitation demonstrates his ability to convey emotion and narrative through the interaction of figures, a skill that aligned him with other artists like Lucas Cranach the Elder.
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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