The Adoration of the Lamb, from "The Apocalypse", Latin Edition

The Adoration of the Lamb, from "The Apocalypse", Latin Edition by Albrecht Dürer, created in 1511, is a monumental example of Renaissance printmaking. This powerful woodcut belongs to Dürer's celebrated series illustrating the Book of Revelation, which was originally published in 1498 but reissued by the artist in 1511 in both Latin and German editions.

As a leading master of the woodcut medium, Dürer transformed what was previously considered a functional form of reproduction into a sophisticated artistic statement. This specific image depicts the celestial scene described by Saint John, focusing on the symbolic figure of the Lamb of God. Representing Jesus Christ, the Lamb stands upon the sealed book, surrounded by the faithful, prophets, and saints gathered in intense adoration. The composition is highly complex, utilizing dense black lines against the stark white of the paper to achieve incredible detail, shading, and textural variation within the limitations of the print process.

The re-release of The Apocalypse series in 1511 solidified Dürer’s status as the most influential artist of the Northern Renaissance, and the meticulous crafting of these large-format prints ensured their wide circulation and enduring popularity across Europe. This impression of the work, demonstrating Dürer’s unique ability to merge dramatic narrative with technical precision, resides in the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Due to the historical age and significance of these works, high-quality images of the artist’s pivotal early modern prints are frequently available for public study through various public domain resources.