Artwork
The Holy Family with the Three Hares

The Holy Family with the Three Hares is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1498 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Victoria.
About this work
Overview
The Holy Family with the Three Hares is a religious woodcut by Albrecht Dürer, dating to approximately 1498. It portrays a serene scene of the Holy Family and accompanying figures.
Subject & Meaning
The woodcut focuses on Mary holding the Christ Child, observed by a woman and a boy. The boy holds a parrot, a symbol drawing from old stories where birds represent wisdom.
Technique & Style
Dürer's delicate woodcut lines masterfully capture light and shadow, lending the scene a near-realistic quality and an overall glow of quiet intimacy.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1498, specific details on the woodcut's early ownership and exhibition history are not provided in the available information.
Context
This work reflects Dürer's contribution to the religious art of his time, blending traditional Christian subjects with subtle symbolic elements.
Legacy
While not highlighted as exceptionally innovative for its time, the piece demonstrates Dürer's skill in woodcutting, influencing subsequent generations of artists in capturing nuanced scenes.
Artist & collection
Artist
Albrecht Dürer spent his life in Nuremberg, a busy German city where artists traded prints like currency.
![Madonna and Child [obverse], by Albrecht Dürer](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/albrecht-durer--madonna-and-child-obverse--d7b8ebf05d22ebe5-w320.webp)


![Lot and His Daughters [reverse], by Albrecht Dürer](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/albrecht-durer--lot-and-his-daughters-reverse--b4ebf9b282faa17a-w320.webp)















