Who painted The Adoration of the Lamb?

The Adoration of the Lamb was painted by Albrecht Dürer in 1497.

Where can I see The Adoration of the Lamb?

The Adoration of the Lamb is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is The Adoration of the Lamb?

The Adoration of the Lamb is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of The Adoration of the Lamb?

Museum-quality prints of The Adoration of the Lamb are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Adoration of the Lamb

Albrecht Dürer , 1497

The Adoration of the Lamb is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1497 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Albrecht Dürer’s woodcut entitled *The Adoration of the Lamb* dates from around 1497. Executed as a single‑sheet print, it forms part of a larger devotional volume. The image centers on a lamb placed upon an altar, surrounded by a gathering of figures, with the evangelist John positioned in a kneeling posture nearby.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents the Lamb of God, a traditional symbol of Christ, crowned with a halo to denote its sanctity. John the Evangelist, identifiable by his book, is shown in reverent supplication, underscoring the theological link between the apostolic witness and the sacrificial lamb as an object of worship.

Technique & Style

Dürer employed the woodcut process, carving intricate, fine lines into a wood block to create subtle gradations of light and shade. The delicate hatching builds volume and texture, allowing the inked surface to convey depth despite the medium’s inherent starkness. This meticulous line work exemplifies Dürer’s mastery of printmaking.

History & Provenance

The print was produced for inclusion in a sizable prayer book, serving as a visual aid for private devotion. Though the original volume’s whereabouts are uncertain, the woodcut survives as an individual impression, illustrating Dürer’s role in disseminating religious imagery through reproducible media in the late fifteenth century.