The influential German Renaissance master Albrecht Dürer created Life of the Virgin: Christ Taking Leave of His Mother, an intricate woodcut executed between 1504 and 1505. This print belongs to Dürer’s renowned "Life of the Virgin" series, a major project illustrating episodes from the Virgin Mary's biography that profoundly impacted religious art across Europe.
The subject captures the poignant moment when Christ bids farewell to his mother before beginning his Passion. Dürer focuses the viewer's attention on the emotional intensity of the scene, utilizing complex composition and fine linearity typical of his mastery of the woodcut technique. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Dürer elevated the woodcut from a simple reproductive medium to a high art form capable of detailed rendering and dramatic depth. The architectural setting, featuring classical elements juxtaposed with Northern European domesticity, anchors the narrative in both classical tradition and the cultural context of contemporary Germany.
Produced during a period of intense artistic innovation in early 16th-century Germany, this work cemented Dürer’s reputation across Europe as a versatile artist and prolific printmaker. The widespread distribution of his prints, aided by the relatively quick production of the woodcut medium, made his narrative cycles immensely popular and influential. This specific impression of Life of the Virgin: Christ Taking Leave of His Mother is housed within the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, preserving a key example of Dürer’s graphic genius for scholarly study and public viewing.
Important: ArtBee makes no warranties about the copyright status of this artwork. To the best of our knowledge, based on information from the source museum, we believe this work is in the public domain.
You are responsible for determining the rights status and securing any permissions needed for your use. Copyright status may vary by jurisdiction. See our License & Usage page and Terms of Service for details.