Artwork
The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne

The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the British Museum.
About this work
Overview
The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne is a religious engraving by Albrecht Dürer, dating to around 1500. It features three central figures in a serene composition.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving portrays a familial scene of Christian significance: the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus, while her mother, Saint Anne, looks on with a protective presence, conveying a sense of maternal care and religious devotion.
Technique & Style
Dürer employed his characteristic cross-hatching technique, using dense, tiny lines to achieve soft, realistic shading. Notably, the hair of the figures is rendered in meticulous detail, resembling individual threads.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1500, specific details about the engraving's original commission or early ownership are not provided in the available information.
Context
This work reflects Dürer's contribution to the flourishing of religious art in Northern Europe during the early 16th century, blending traditional Christian themes with emerging Renaissance techniques.
Legacy
While specific legacy details are not provided, the engraving's meticulous technique and serene composition contribute to Dürer's reputation as a master printmaker of his era.
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)



