Sea Monster ("Das Meerwunder")

Sea Monster ("Das Meerwunder"), created by the renowned German artist Albrecht Dürer in 1498, is a masterful example of late Gothic engraving on laid paper. This early print is characteristic of the technical innovations Dürer brought to the medium, treating the copper plate with a complexity previously reserved for drawing or painting. The work depicts a dramatic mythological confrontation: a powerful sea creature emerging from a river to carry off a naked woman, while distraught figures look on from the shore.

The piece's composition is dominated by the titular sea creature, often identified as a Triton. Dürer portrays the monster with muscled human characteristics fused with scaled, fish-like anatomy, emphasizing the fantastical yet terrifying nature of the subject. The victim is shown in a state of alarm, clutching at the monster’s head, while the figures watching from the riverbank react with palpable despair. Dürer’s skillful execution allows him to render complex textures, from the turbulent, rippling water to the elaborate drapery of the onshore figures. This attention to detail highlights why Dürer’s technique became synonymous with the highest quality prints of the era.

As one of Dürer’s seminal works, Sea Monster demonstrates the ambition of the burgeoning German Renaissance art movement flourishing in the period of 1401 to 1500. It reflects the Northern European interest in classical mythology while retaining a distinct, intense late-Gothic style. The circulation of such high-quality prints was instrumental in solidifying the artist's international reputation during the late 15th century. This specific impression is held within the esteemed collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., and due to its age and cultural significance, high-resolution reproductions of this work are commonly found in the public domain today.