Sea Monster ("Das Meerwunder")

The central figure, a voluptuous woman in an elaborate Milanese headdress, appears both startled and composed as she looks back toward her companions, whose gestures range from frantic waving to mournful collapse. Scholars have interpreted the abduction as a narrative device that permits the display of nudity, while others see the woman’s serene, Venus‑like pose as a subtle commentary on eroticism and vulnerability.

Executed in copper engraving on laid paper, the work showcases Dürer’s meticulous line work and attention to texture, from the scales and sharp teeth of the merman to the intricate detailing of the surrounding figures and architecture. It represents an early exploration of human anatomy and proportion that anticipates the artist’s later, more refined studies of the human form.

The engraving can be dated by comparison with a signed nude study in Vienna’s Albertina, dated 1501, suggesting a close chronological relationship. A notable Mannerist copy produced around 1550 in Germany testifies to the image’s influence and circulation during the mid‑16th century.

Created during a period of expanding geographic knowledge and mythic curiosity, the print reflects contemporary fascination with sea monsters and exotic beings. Architectural elements in the background echo the Kaiserburg in Nuremberg, linking the fantastical scene to Dürer’s native city.