Joachim and the Angel, from The Life of the Virgin

Joachim and the Angel, from The Life of the Virgin by Albrecht Dürer German, 1471-1528, is a compelling woodcut created in 1504. Rendered in black ink on ivory laid paper, this print is an essential composition within Dürer’s monumental series illustrating the life of the Virgin Mary. Executed during a period of intense artistic productivity, the series cemented Dürer’s reputation as the preeminent master of graphic arts in the German Renaissance.

The scene depicts the moment when Joachim, the father of the Virgin Mary, receives a divine visitation. Having retreated to the wilderness following his shaming at the Temple due to his childlessness, he is confronted by an angel who promises him that his elderly wife, Anna, will conceive. The work skillfully contrasts the heavenly messenger's classical grace with Joachim’s humble, pastoral surroundings, a common technique in early sixteenth-century Germany reflecting the fusion of Northern and Italian artistic styles.

Dürer’s sophisticated technical mastery is evident in the intricate cross-hatching and varied line weight used to create texture and tonal depth, dramatically expanding the capabilities of the woodcut medium. The artist's handling of these complex visual elements effectively elevates the narrative complexity of this key print. This specific impression of Joachim and the Angel is housed in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a definitive example of German graphic art, this piece, along with other high-quality Dürer prints, is often made available for study through public domain collections, ensuring the continued accessibility of the Renaissance master’s enduring legacy.