Artwork
The Virgin and Child with the Pear
The Virgin and Child with the Pear is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1511 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Virgin and Child with the Pear is an engraving on laid paper created by Albrecht Dürer in 1511.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving depicts the Virgin Mary seated with the Christ Child, who wears a pear-shaped crown and holds a pear. The pear may symbolize Jesus' future sacrifice, adding a layer of depth to the tender scene.
Technique & Style
Dürer employed fine cross-hatching lines to create shading and soft shadows, demonstrating his skill with the engraving medium. The curved shape of the pear is echoed in the folds of Mary's robe, showcasing the artist's attention to detail and composition.
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)
The Virgin and Child with the Pear
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