The Angel with the Key to the Bottomless Pit, from "The Apocalypse"

The Angel with the Key to the Bottomless Pit, from "The Apocalypse" is an iconic woodcut created by the German Renaissance master Albrecht Dürer between 1497 and 1498. This seminal print is part of Dürer’s Apocalypse series, a pivotal set of fifteen images that dramatically established the artist's reputation across Europe and revolutionized the status of printmaking. The sheer scale and meticulous detail Dürer achieved in this woodcut elevated the medium from mere illustration to independent, high-art objects.

The dramatic imagery is drawn directly from the Book of Revelation (Chapter 20), capturing the moment when the Angel descends to prepare for the thousand-year binding of Satan. The divine figure dominates the upper register, powerfully grasping the great chain and prominently displaying the symbolic Key to the Bottomless Pit.

Dürer’s signature style is evident in the dynamic movement and rich texturing achieved through the precise carving of the woodblock. Below the heavenly action, mortal figures are depicted in terror, shrinking from the vision. These figures, including several overwhelmed women, emphasize the fragility of humanity against the force of divine judgment.

As one of the most famous prints from the Northern Renaissance, the dramatic intensity of this work continues to be studied by art historians globally. This exceptional impression of The Angel with the Key to the Bottomless Pit is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of its age and profound cultural significance, the image often falls under public domain, ensuring that high-quality prints and reproductions remain widely accessible for study and appreciation.