Four Avenging Angels, from "The Apocalypse"

Four Avenging Angels, from "The Apocalypse" is a highly influential woodcut created by Albrecht Dürer between 1497 and 1498. This dramatic print is part of Dürer’s famous fifteen-piece series illustrating the Book of Revelation, which cemented his reputation across Europe as a masterful graphic artist. The complete series was published simultaneously in Latin and German editions, making the terrifying prophecies of the Apocalypse widely accessible across all strata of society.

The composition captures the violent unleashing of divine wrath during the opening of the sixth seal. Four powerful Avenging Angels, identified by their elaborate wings, dominate the scene. They grasp long, highly detailed Swords, symbolizing the destruction they are commanded to inflict upon the world. Below the angels, a chaotic landscape unfolds, emphasizing the universal nature of the impending doom. The woodcut technique allows Dürer to render intense light and shadow, highlighting the terrified expressions of the mortals and fleeing animals caught in the divine torrent.

Dürer revolutionized the woodcut medium, transforming it from a simple illustrative method into a vehicle for intricate high art. His meticulous line work and masterful control of contrast define the power of this particular print and the entire series. The clarity and emotional intensity of Dürer’s designs contributed significantly to the dissemination of religious imagery during the late fifteenth century. This significant work now resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and its prints are frequently referenced in the study of Renaissance art history.