Nemesis (The Great Fortune) is a complex and monumental engraving created by Albrecht Dürer in 1501. This highly sophisticated print exemplifies Dürer's technical mastery during the height of the German Renaissance, merging classical influences with Northern European attention to detail.
The subject, drawn loosely from classical mythology, depicts Nemesis, the goddess of divine retribution and balance, often conflated here with Fortuna (Fortune). Dürer presents the imposing figure as a powerful female nude, derived from contemporary studies of ideal human proportions. She stands precariously balanced on a globe, symbolizing the inherent instability of fate. The figure holds a bridle in her right hand, representing restraint and control over human passions, and a rich goblet in her left, perhaps signifying reward or the fleeting caprice of chance.
Dürer executed this demanding subject with meticulous precision, showcasing the expressive potential of the copperplate engraving medium. The detailed background, a sprawling landscape viewed from a high vantage point, further emphasizes the mythological figure’s elevated status over the mortal world. The sheer scale of the finished work for the period confirms Dürer’s ambition to elevate prints as an art form equal to painting.
The enduring quality and widespread influence of this piece have made it one of the most recognizable German Renaissance prints. Today, the work is highly valued in major museum collections globally, including the renowned impression held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of its age and profound cultural importance, high-quality images of this seminal engraving often enter the public domain, allowing students and enthusiasts worldwide access to study Dürer’s monumental artistic contributions.
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