The Annunciation, from The Life of the Virgin

The Annunciation, from The Life of the Virgin by Albrecht Dürer German, 1471-1528, is a pivotal work of Northern Renaissance printmaking, drawn from the artist’s celebrated series illustrating the life of the Virgin Mary. Although Dürer, the undisputed master of the German woodcut, created the original block for the series in the early years of the 16th century, this specific impression dates later, between 1590 and 1600, testifying to the enduring value and reuse of Dürer's matrices long after his death in 1528.

Executed as a woodcut in black on ivory laid paper, this impression showcases Dürer’s meticulous approach to linear detail and his mastery in rendering complex spatial environments within the technical constraints of the relief process. The composition depicts the moment the Archangel Gabriel interrupts the Virgin Mary’s reading to announce the Incarnation. Dürer’s handling of texture and light creates a sense of depth rare for early 16th-century prints in Germany. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Dürer achieved remarkable nuance in shading, making his Annunciation both dramatically resonant and technically sophisticated.

This piece forms part of the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, representing a key contribution to the study of the history of graphic arts. The widespread continued circulation of Dürer’s prints centuries later testifies to his profound and lasting legacy across Europe. As an artwork created before 1928, this important German woodcut series is often considered part of the public domain, ensuring broad access for scholars and enthusiasts studying the German Renaissance master.