Dürer engraving

ALBRECHT DÜRER                            Nuremberg 1471 – 1528 Nuremberg

The Virgin and Child Seated by a Tree.
Engraving; 1513.  Meder 34 a/b (of E).  Schoch, Mende, Scherbaum 67 a/b (of E).  A fine impression in very good condition; trimmed to the image. From the collection of Otto Schäfer, Schweinfurt.

Exhibited: Dürer als Erzähler [Dürer as Storyteller] Collection Otto Schäfer,  Schweinfurt 1996, p. 44.

Dürer’s series of Madonnas constitutes a portion of his engraved opus, notable for its variety in iconographic presentation and mood. In general, though, Dürer emphasized a humanity and intimacy, even in the more hieratic versions. Dürer’s source for this Madonna is based on Byzantine Madonna and Child representations beginning in the 11^th century characterized by the tender relationship of Mother and Child, as she holds the infant close to her and lovingly caresses him.

The Madonna’s half-closed eyes constitute a subtle humanizing element of the image; she seems lost in motherly love, even if the infant Christ turns toward us with a steady gaze. Dürer’s contemporaries would have also seen the image as doctrinally substantial. The fence in the background, even though simply constructed of branches tied together, symbolized the idea of the Hortus Conclusus, the ‘closed garden’ of Mary’s virginity and thus the Divinity of Christ. The tree trunk, harmonizing with the simple branches of the fence of the Hortus Conclusus, also adds an element of unassuming, rustic simplicity to the scene.

116 x 76 mm    4 9/16 x 2 15/16 inches