Fourth Knot

Fourth Knot is a highly intricate ornamental print created by Albrecht Dürer between 1506 and 1507. Executed as a woodcut, this work belongs to Dürer's famous series of six knot patterns (Knoten), which showcase his profound interest in geometry and complex design. These prints were likely inspired by the decorative interlace motifs popularized by Leonardo da Vinci, which Dürer encountered during his travels to Italy, translating the Italian Renaissance concepts through the lens of Northern European graphic arts.

As a master of the German Renaissance, Dürer used the woodcut medium not merely for textual illustration, but as a sophisticated fine art form capable of delivering astonishing detail and tonal variation. The design of the Fourth Knot features ribbons interwoven seamlessly in an endless circular pattern, demonstrating the artist's ability to translate three-dimensional mathematical complexity onto a flat plane. The technical skill required for carving such delicate, interlocking lines in the woodblock is exceptional, distinguishing Dürer’s output from his contemporaries.

This print is an excellent example of Dürer’s decisive impact on European graphic arts, solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in printmaking during the early 16th century. Today, the work is part of the distinguished permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, preserving a crucial piece of German cultural history. Due to the age and historical significance of the image, high-resolution copies of these important prints are often accessible in the public domain, allowing wide study of Dürer’s profound influence on decorative and graphic design traditions.