Madonna with the Swaddled Infant

Madonna with the Swaddled Infant by Albrecht Dürer German, 1471-1528, is a masterful example of Renaissance printmaking dating to 1520. Executed as an engraving in black ink on fine ivory laid paper, this work demonstrates Dürer’s profound influence on the graphic arts of the period.

Dürer, a central figure of the German Renaissance, achieved widespread fame and commercial success through his exceptional skill in the demanding medium of intaglio printmaking. This small-scale devotional piece showcases the intricate line work and precise cross-hatching typical of his later style. Unlike his earlier, more dramatic pieces, this composition presents the scene with quiet intimacy. The focus is placed entirely on the tender interaction between the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child, who is fully encased in swaddling clothes, emphasizing his vulnerability and humanity. The technical mastery of the engraving allows Dürer to render delicate drapery and nuanced shading, maximizing the expressive potential of a monochromatic image.

Produced during a fertile period for print culture in early modern Germany, such religious prints were highly sought after, making sacred imagery accessible far beyond elite patronage. The development of reproductive media like the Madonna with the Swaddled Infant was crucial in spreading the iconography and aesthetic ideals of the Renaissance across Europe. This superior impression of the engraving is housed within the comprehensive collection of early master prints at the Art Institute of Chicago. As a key work by this seminal artist, high-quality images of the piece are frequently available for scholarship and public access, often residing within the public domain.