Who painted The Virgin Surrounded by Many Angels?

The Virgin Surrounded by Many Angels was painted by Albrecht Dürer in 1518.

Where can I see The Virgin Surrounded by Many Angels?

The Virgin Surrounded by Many Angels is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is The Virgin Surrounded by Many Angels?

The Virgin Surrounded by Many Angels is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Artwork

The Virgin Surrounded by Many Angels

Albrecht Dürer , 1518

The Virgin Surrounded by Many Angels is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1518 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Albrecht Dürer’s woodcut titled *The Virgin Surrounded by Many Angels* was produced in 1518. Executed as a print rather than a painting, the image presents the Virgin Mary centrally positioned, her head inclined in reverence, encircled by a multitude of cherubic angels whose round faces and open mouths suggest a chorus of praise.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on the theological figure of Mary, clothed in a blue mantle edged with red, a conventional color scheme denoting purity and martyrdom. The surrounding angels, rendered with expressive gestures, reinforce the devotional atmosphere, inviting contemplation of the Virgin’s role as intercessor within a celestial gathering.

Technique & Style

Dürer employed the traditional woodcut method, incising the design with a knife into a wooden block. The resulting ridges hold ink, producing crisp, sharply defined lines that convey intricate detail. The stylized, round-faced angels and the precise rendering of drapery illustrate Dürer’s mastery of line work and his capacity to suggest texture within the constraints of the medium.

History & Provenance

Created toward the end of Dürer’s career, the print reflects his continued engagement with religious subjects during the early sixteenth century. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work has been documented in several early print collections, confirming its circulation among patrons and collectors interested in devotional imagery.