Albrecht Dürer, The Visitation (The Life of the Virgin), c. 1504

Artist: Albrecht Dürer (1471 - 1528)
Title:The Visitation (The Life of the Virgin), c. 1504
Reference:B. 84; M. 196
Medium:Woodcut
Image Size:11 3/4 in x 8 1/4 in (29.8 cm x 21 cm)
Sheet Size:11 7/8 in x 8 1/2 in (30.2 cm x 21.6 cm)
Framed Size:approx. 22 in x 19 in (56 cm x 48.3 cm)
Edition:A Meder d (of g) impression, after the 1511 Latin text edition, printed on a fine laid paper with Eagle with Flower watermark (M 222, BR 262-263) dating this work to c. late 1500s.
Signature:This work is monogrammed by Albrecht Dürer (Nuremburg, 1471- Nuremburg, 1528) in the woodblock 'AD' on a slate in the lower center.
Condition:This work is generally in good condition. This vintage 16th century work has minor creases and stains due to age and wear characteristic to works of this age not affecting the overall image.
ID #w-5485

Historical Description

Beautifully detailed and regarded as a highlight of Dürer’s woodcuts, Albrecht Dürer The Visitation (The Life of the Virgin), c. 1504 recounts an episode from the biblical tale of when Mary, heavily pregnant, travels to see her much older cousin Elisabeth, who is now also late with child. Most likely inspired by Dürer’s journey through the Alps in 1494 and 1495, the landscape is simply breathtaking, and frames the narrative in a way no other artist would be able to portray.

Created c. 1504, this work is monogrammed by Albrecht Dürer (Nuremburg, 1471- Nuremburg, 1528) in the woodblock 'AD' on the slate in the lower center. A Meder d (of g) impression, after the 1511 Latin text edition, this work is printed on a fine laid paper with Eagle with Flower watermark (M 222, BR 262-263) dating this work to c. late 1500s..

Provenance:
1. The Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
2. Collector’s stamp (not in Lugt) on verso: John S. Phillips (1810-1876) Collection, P.A.F.A. (Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts)

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
Albrecht Dürer The Visitation (The Life of the Virgin), c. 1504 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. 84.

2. Kurth, W. Dr. The Complete Woodcuts of Albrecht Dürer. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.,1963. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 182.

3. Meder, J. Dürer-Katalog. Wien: Verlag Gilhoffer & Ranschburg, 1932. Listed as catalogue raisonné no. 207. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no.196.

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. 1566.

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. 196.

6. Schoch, R. Albrecht Dürer: Das druckgraphische Werk, Band II Holzschnitte und Holzschnittfolgen. München: Prestel Verlag, 2002. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 174.

7. Strauss, W. L. Albrecht Dürer, Woodcuts and Wood Blocks. New York: Abaris Books, 1980. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 91. Eagle with Flower watermark listed and illustrated as M.222, Br. 262-263 on page 703.

8. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.

ABOUT THE FRAMING:
Albrecht Dürer The Visitation (The Life of the Virgin), c. 1504 is framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, presented in a complementary moulding and finished with linen-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.