Nemesis (The Great Fortune), created by Albrecht Dürer in 1501, is one of the German Renaissance master’s most ambitious and technically sophisticated early engravings. Executed with painstaking precision on a copper plate, this major print exemplifies Dürer’s dedication to merging classical ideals of beauty and proportion with the meticulous detail characteristic of Northern European art.
The work features a monumental female nude figure hovering precariously above a finely rendered Alpine landscape. The figure is an interpretation of Nemesis, the classical goddess responsible for dispensing divine retribution and measuring out fortune. She is shown standing atop a globe, a symbol of instability, while holding a bridle representing restraint and a gilded cup or phiale associated with measurement and balance. Dürer is believed to have based his interpretation on a specific textual description by the humanist poet Angelo Poliziano, illustrating the deep integration of classical learning into his artistic practice. The careful articulation of the figure’s anatomy demonstrates Dürer’s intensive study of the ideal human form, influenced by his travels to Italy and his engagement with ancient sculpture.
Dürer achieved the impressive scale and texture evident in this engraving through highly refined burin work, showcasing his unparalleled mastery of the print medium. The accessibility afforded by prints allowed this complex iconography and high standard of execution to circulate widely throughout Europe during the 16th century. This renowned impression is today part of the extensive prints collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of its age and historical importance, high-resolution reproductions of this work are considered part of the public domain, ensuring widespread appreciation for Dürer’s seminal contribution to Renaissance prints.
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