Madonna Nursing, created by Albrecht Dürer German, 1471-1528 in 1519, is a profound and intimate example of Northern Renaissance printmaking. This devotional image was rendered through the exacting technique of engraving, executed in black ink upon ivory laid paper. Dürer’s unparalleled skill transforms the simple classification of a print into a work of exceptional detail, utilizing controlled line work and delicate cross-hatching to achieve rich tonal variation and define volume.
The composition centers on the Maria Lactans, or the Virgin breast-feeding the infant Christ, a humanizing subject popularized during the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance. Dürer focuses on conveying warmth and tenderness within the confined space of the plate, emphasizing the spiritual importance of Christ’s humanity. This German artist was instrumental in elevating the medium of the print, making images highly accessible and ensuring his fame spread rapidly across Europe during the period of Reformation and intense religious focus.
Produced in 1519, this piece demonstrates the height of Dürer's technical mastery. Unlike many other artists of the era who utilized assistants for their printing plates, Dürer personally engraved his matrices, ensuring the precision and clarity evident in every line. Today, the enduring quality of this work means many of Dürer's prints are available as important public domain materials for study and admiration. This exemplary impression is housed within the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
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