The Apocalyptic Woman

The Apocalyptic Woman by Albrecht Dürer, created in 1498, is a seminal example of late fifteenth-century German printmaking. This powerful piece utilizes the challenging medium of woodcut on laid paper, a technique that Dürer elevated from a primarily popular illustrative form to a high art form. The work belongs to the artist's complete Apocalypse series, a revolutionary set of fifteen illustrations that captured the heightened eschatological fervor gripping Europe at the end of the period 1401 to 1500.

The subject is derived from the vision of the Woman Clothed with the Sun from Chapter 12 of the Book of Revelation. Dürer’s interpretation is renowned for its dynamism and dramatic intensity, depicting the heavenly figure crowned with stars and standing upon the crescent moon, struggling against a menacing seven-headed dragon below. The dense and expressive network of lines, characteristic of the artist's masterful handling of the woodcut medium, lends an intense spiritual and psychological weight to the image.

The visual impact of this piece solidified Dürer's reputation not only in German lands but across the continent, establishing him as the foremost Northern Renaissance master of graphic arts. The rapid success and widespread distribution of these powerful images demonstrate how Dürer effectively utilized the growing medium of prints to reach a vast audience, influencing the course of artistic development for generations.

This notable impression of early modern German graphic arts is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. Because of their age and historical importance, high-resolution scans of these iconic works are often available for study and reference through public domain resources, allowing continued appreciation of the technical skill inherent in masterpieces like The Apocalyptic Woman.