The Apocalyptic Woman, from "The Apocalypse"

The Apocalyptic Woman, from "The Apocalypse," is a pivotal woodcut created by Albrecht Dürer in 1511. This print belongs to the second, highly sought-after Latin edition of Dürer's groundbreaking fifteen-sheet series illustrating the Book of Revelation. Produced during the German Renaissance, the original 1498 edition established Dürer as the preeminent master graphic artist of his age, demonstrating the artistic potential of the woodcut medium for complex theological subjects.

The composition centers on the central figure described in Revelation 12:1, the "woman clothed with the sun," often interpreted by scholars as the Virgin Mary or a representation of the Church. Dürer depicts this essential female figure crowned with twelve stars, standing upon the crescent moon, a powerful sign of divine authority and protection. Below her, the terrifying seven-headed, ten-horned dragon awaits to consume her child, symbolizing the cosmic battle between ultimate good and evil. The scene is saturated with powerful celestial imagery; above the woman, a vision of God, represented by Jesus Christ, appears alongside attendant Angels, emphasizing the heavenly protection offered in the midst of apocalyptic conflict.

Dürer’s dramatic use of line and intense shading, typical of his masterful print work, brings both intense spiritual emotion and technical realism to this esoteric narrative. This exceptional example of Northern Renaissance graphic work is held within the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of the widespread success and availability of these historical prints, much of Dürer's Apocalypse series, including varying editions of The Apocalyptic Woman, continues to be widely studied today. High-quality prints of this seminal work are frequently available in the public domain, ensuring Dürer’s profound vision of scripture remains accessible worldwide.