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 an influential woodcut created by Albrecht Dürer German, 1471-1528, between 1504 and 1511. This powerful image is one plate from Dürer’s iconic series, The Life of the Virgin, a major project that solidified his reputation as the preeminent printmaker of the Northern Renaissance. Executed as a woodcut in black on tan laid paper, the work showcases the artist’s revolutionary control over the medium, transforming the typically coarse woodcut technique into one capable of subtle atmospheric effects and intense narrative drama.

The scene captures the poignant, non-canonical moment before Christ embarks on his ministry, depicting Mary collapsing in grief while supported by attending figures. Dürer masterfully employed dense parallel lines and intricate cross-hatching to achieve unprecedented levels of texture and shading, a technique that elevated the status of graphic arts throughout Europe. Produced in Germany during a period of intense artistic and religious transformation, Dürer’s series met the rising demand for accessible, emotionally resonant devotional imagery that could be studied privately.

Dürer's contribution fundamentally redefined the potential of prints. This piece, housed in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, remains a cornerstone example of early sixteenth-century German graphic arts. Due to its age and significance, high-resolution reproductions of this work are often available through the public domain, allowing scholars and enthusiasts worldwide to access Dürer's masterful execution.