Albrecht Dürer, The Annunciation (The Life of the Virgin), c. 1503 |
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| Artist: | Albrecht Dürer (1471 - 1528) |
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| Title: | The Annunciation (The Life of the Virgin), c. 1503 |
| Reference: | B. 83; M. 195 |
| Medium: | Woodcut |
| Image Size: | 11 3/4 in x 8 5/16 in (29.8 cm x 21.1 cm) |
| Sheet Size: | 12 9/16 in x 9 1/8 in (31.9 cm x 23.2 cm) |
| Framed Size: | approx 23 in x 20 in ( 58. 4 cm x 50.8 cm) |
| Edition: | A meder f of (f), after the 1511 Latin text edition, dating this work to c. 1600. |
| Signature: | This work is monogrammed by Albrecht Dürer (Nuremburg, 1471 - Nuremburg, 1528) on a slate in the lower right of the image. |
| Condition: | This work is generally in good condition. This vintage 16th century impression on a fine laid paper mounted on board has minor creases and staining due to age and wear characteristic to works of this age not affecting the overall image. |
| ID # | W-5481 |
Having been preoccupied with artistic, woodcut renderings of perspective and foreshortening, Albrecht Dürer engulfs our subjects in grand, architectural elements. The effect of depth perception can be seen further with the many layers of arches and circular tympanums along the ceiling (one of which features Judith holding the head of Holofernes; see below).
According to W. Strauss (1980), “As told in Scripture, the Archangel Gabriel brings the glad tidings to the Virgin. The dove, representing the Holy Spirit, illuminates her face, while God the Father hovers in the distant clouds. The lilies in the vase symbolize purity, whereas Judith with the head of Hologernes, in the tympanum, calls to mind Mary’s victory over the devil. The evil one, with the head of a badger, can be discerned underneath the stairs, chained to the wall on the far left. The badger stands for sloth and laziness, which is ‘the mother of all sin’” (p. 259).
Created in c. 1503, this woodcut is monogrammed by Albrecht Dürer (Nuremburg, 1471 - Nuremburg, 1528) on a slate in the lower right of the image. This work is a Meder (f) of (f), after the 1511 Latin text edition, dating this work to c.1600.
Provenance:
The Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia
Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
This work is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices accompanying the final sale of the work):
1. Bartsch. The Illustrated Bartsch Vol. 10. Edited by Walter L. Strauss. New York: Abaris Books, 1981.Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 83.
2. Kurth, W. Dr. The Complete Woodcuts of Albrecht Dürer. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.,1963. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 181.
3. Meder, J. Dürer-Katalog. Wien: Verlag Gilhoffer & Ranschburg, 1932. Listed as catalogue raisonné no. 195.
4. Pawlak, M. Albrecht Dürer: 1471 bis 1528, Das gesamte Graphische Werk, Druckgraphik, Band II. München, Verlag Rogner & Bernhard GMBH. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 1564.
5. Scheller, R. W. and Boon, K. G. The Graphic Art of Albrecht Dürer, Hans Dürer and the Dürer School. Amsterdam: Vengendt & Co, 1971.Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 195.
6. Schoch, R. Albrecht Dürer: Das druckgraphische Werk, Band II Holzschnitte und Holzschnittfolgen. München: Prestel Verlag, 2002. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 173.
7. Strauss, W. L. Albrecht Dürer, Woodcuts and Wood Blocks. New York: Abaris Books, 1980. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 74.
8. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.
ABOUT THE FRAMING:
This work is framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, presented in a complementary moulding and finished with linen-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.
