Artwork

The Holy Family with the Three Hares

The Holy Family with the Three Hares, by Albrecht Dürer, ink, 1498
The Holy Family with the Three Hares, by Albrecht Dürer, ink, 1498

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

Portrait of Albrecht Dürer

Artist

Albrecht Dürer

Albrecht Dürer spent his life in Nuremberg, a busy German city where artists traded prints like currency.