Holy Family with a Dragonfly

Holy Family with a Dragonfly, created by Albrecht Dürer in 1495, is an exemplary early engraving, showcasing the German artist's developing mastery of the burin. Classified as a print, this work marks a significant moment in the Northern Renaissance, demonstrating Dürer’s unparalleled ability to render complex forms and textures in monochrome.

The composition centers on the intimate depiction of the Holy Family, a popular subject in 15th-century religious art. The Madonna holds the Christ Child, her drapery rendered with flowing complexity, while the figure of Joseph, shown among other men in the background, observes the sacred grouping. What distinguishes this particular print is the small, meticulously detailed insect located in the foreground. The 'dragonfly' of the title, though sometimes interpreted by scholars as a butterfly or a grasshopper, introduces an element of natural observation or possibly symbolic meaning, though its exact allegorical intent remains debated.

Produced early in Dürer’s career, this engraving demonstrates the meticulous cross-hatching and fine lines that would define his later graphic output and influence printmakers across Europe. Because the creation date precedes modern copyright, high-resolution reproductions of these masterwork prints are often widely accessible in the public domain. This exceptional work resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, serving as a vital record of Dürer's early innovation in printmaking.