Madonna on a Grassy Bank

Madonna on a Grassy Bank, by the celebrated artist Albrecht Dürer (German, 1471-1528), is a seminal engraving from 1503. Executed in black ink on ivory laid paper, this print exemplifies the technical rigor Dürer brought to the medium during the height of the German Renaissance. His precision transformed the process of printmaking from a craft into an elevated art form, allowing religious iconography to be widely disseminated throughout Europe.

The work depicts the Virgin Mary seated alone in a natural, pastoral setting. Unlike traditional depictions confined to architectural spaces, Dürer places the Madonna on a Grassy Bank, emphasizing humility and a communion with nature. The small scale of the piece belies the intricate detail achieved through the engraving technique. Dürer’s skillful manipulation of the burin renders minute textures, particularly visible in the voluminous folds of the drapery and the meticulous representation of the surrounding flora. This focus on naturalistic detail, combining Italianate Renaissance modeling with Northern European attention to landscape, is a key hallmark of Dürer's style in the early 16th century.

Dürer’s remarkable output in prints established his reputation throughout Germany and across the continent. Because reproductive prints like this engraving were highly durable and easily distributed, they influenced subsequent generations of German and European artists. The enduring quality of this Dürer masterwork resides in the distinguished collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a significant historical artifact, high-quality images of this engraving are frequently made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring broad access to the work of this pivotal German master.