Holy Family with the Three Hares

The Holy Family with the Three Hares is a celebrated woodcut created by the German Renaissance master Albrecht Dürer around 1497-1498. This early example of Dürer's printmaking demonstrates his technical skill in transforming a relief matrix into a detailed, expressive image. The choice of the woodcut medium ensured wide circulation, contributing significantly to Dürer's early fame as a graphic artist across Germany and Europe. The scene depicts the quiet domesticity of the Holy Family, typically shown resting during the Flight into Egypt, but rendered here with an intimate naturalism characteristic of Northern Renaissance art.

The composition is highly refined, showcasing Dürer’s innovative use of light and shadow, which brings sculptural depth to the figures of Mary, Joseph, and the infant Christ. The distinctive element, the grouping of three hares, is positioned prominently in the lower center. This motif is frequently interpreted in Christian iconography as symbolizing the Holy Trinity, though it also speaks to the natural world that Dürer so keenly observed.

As one of the most significant prints of its era, this piece highlights the transition of graphic arts from simple illustrations to complex, independent works of art. Dürer's mastery elevates the woodcut to the level of painting, influencing subsequent generations of artists working in print media. This important impression is held within the esteemed permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Because of its historical age and significance, high-quality reproductions of this masterwork are widely accessible through the public domain today.