Apocalypse: The Adoration of the Lamb—The Hymn of the Chosen

"Apocalypse: The Adoration of the Lamb—The Hymn of the Chosen" by Albrecht Dürer is a monumental woodcut created between 1496 and 1511, representing the pinnacle of German Renaissance printmaking. This work forms part of Dürer’s revolutionary Apocalypse series, which established him as the foremost graphic artist of his era and dramatically expanded the expressive potential of the woodcut medium.

The print illustrates a complex theological scene drawn from the Book of Revelation, Chapter 7, depicting the moment when the vast multitude of the elect, arrayed in white robes, gather to worship the Lamb of God before the heavenly throne. Dürer’s exceptional technical skill is evident in the dynamic composition and meticulous detail, where he employs dense systems of crosshatching and modulated line work to achieve sophisticated tonal contrasts and deep spatial recession—effects typically associated with metal engraving. The high level of finish and dramatic intensity ensured the immediate and widespread success of the series across Germany and Europe.

The enduring influence of this work underscores its status as an iconic piece of cultural heritage. Because the Apocalypse series was produced in multiples and distributed broadly as prints, numerous impressions survive, allowing for detailed study of Dürer’s process. This particular impression of Apocalypse: The Adoration of the Lamb—The Hymn of the Chosen is preserved in the extensive collections of the Cleveland Museum of Art, showcasing a crucial moment in art history for both academic research and general appreciation, often made available through public domain initiatives.