DISCOVERART

Albrecht Dürer

Life of the Virgin: The Nativity

1504–1505
woodcut

SEE IT IN PERSON

Not currently on view

In the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland · as of July 2026

View at clevelandart.org ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART’S CATALOG

This print depicting Christ’s birth belongs to one of the numerous print series that Albrecht Dürer produced on religious themes. Here, the artist focused on everyday details of the Virgin Mary’s life story to emphasize her humanity. Dürer revolutionized the technique of woodcut with such scenes, which told biblical stories with enough descriptive detail and skillful narrative staging to minimize the need for text. The textures, fine details, and perspectival space of his woodcuts surpassed any examples of the medium before him.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by Albrecht Dürer

Salvator MundiSalvator MundiPortrait of a Woman, Said to Be Caritas Pirckheimer (1467–1532)Portrait of a Woman, Said to Be Caritas Pirckheimer (1467–15Virgin and Child with Saint AnneVirgin and Child with Saint AnneVirgin and ChildVirgin and ChildSaint Jerome and the LionSaint Jerome and the LionAdam and EveAdam and EveUlrich VarnbülerUlrich VarnbülerPortrait of Ulrich VarnbulerPortrait of Ulrich Varnbuler

More like this

The Adoration of the Shepherds, from The Life of the VirginAlbrecht Dürer — The Adoration of the Shepherds, from The LiThe Nativity, from "The Life of the Virgin"Albrecht Dürer — The Nativity, from "The Life of the Virgin"The Nativity, from The Life of the VirginAlbrecht Dürer — The Nativity, from The Life of the VirginThe Nativity, from The Life of the VirginAlbrecht Dürer — The Nativity, from The Life of the VirginThe Nativity, from The Life of the Virgin, Latin Edition, 1511Albrecht Dürer — The Nativity, from The Life of the Virgin, The Adoration of the Shepherds, from The Life of the VirginAlbrecht Dürer — The Adoration of the Shepherds, from The LiThe Fall and Redemption of Man: The NativityAlbrecht Altdorfer (German, c. 1480–1538) — The Fall and RedSt. Jerome in the WildernessHans Baldung (German, 1484/85–1545) — St. Jerome in the WildThe Beheading of Saint John the BaptistAlbrecht Altdorfer — The Beheading of Saint John the BaptistThe NativityLudwig Krug (German, 1490–1532) — The NativityChrist Taking Leave of His Mother, from The Life of the VirginAlbrecht Dürer — Christ Taking Leave of His Mother, from TheThe Nativity, from The Fall and Redemption of ManAlbrecht Altdorfer — The Nativity, from The Fall and Redempt