Christ Taking Leave of His Mother, from "The Life of the Virgin"

Christ Taking Leave of His Mother, from "The Life of the Virgin" is a seminal woodcut created by the German master Albrecht Dürer in 1504. This dramatic print belongs to Dürer’s celebrated series, "The Life of the Virgin," a project that solidified his reputation as the preeminent printmaker of the Northern Renaissance. Executed late in the series, this work focuses on a highly emotional narrative of separation, a theological theme that gained significant popularity in early 16th-century piety.

The composition centers on the poignant moment Christ bids a formal, final farewell to his mother before embarking upon his journey toward the Passion. Dürer depicts the Virgin Mary overwhelmed by sorrow, swooning into the arms of accompanying women, illustrating her intense human suffering and deep connection to her son. The emotional weight of the scene is masterfully conveyed through the expressive, fine lines characteristic of Dürer’s mature woodcut style. His ability to achieve a complex range of textures and shading within the constraints of the woodcut medium demonstrates the technical innovations that made his prints highly sought-after across Europe.

The availability and widespread distribution of woodcut prints like this piece were crucial to disseminating Dürer’s artistic and theological influence. This significant impression of Christ Taking Leave of His Mother is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Dürer’s work in this medium elevated the status of prints from simple illustrations to independent works of fine art, ensuring the continuing public domain legacy of this powerful series.