The Assumption and Coronation of the Virgin

The Assumption and Coronation of the Virgin by Albrecht Dürer, created in 1510, is a masterful example of the German Renaissance artist’s skill in printmaking. Executed as a woodcut, this religious scene captures the dramatic moment when Mary is received into Heaven and crowned by the Holy Trinity. Dürer’s work is characterized by the intricate detail and dynamic composition he achieved despite the inherent limitations of the woodcut medium, transforming prints from simple illustrations into high art. This technique, requiring the artist to carve away negative space, allowed for the wide dissemination of religious iconography throughout Germany and Northern Europe.

The subject matter centers on the Virgin Mary floating above the earthly realm, elevated toward a celestial host composed of Christ and God the Father, who together place the crown upon her head. Surrounded by clouds and cherubs, the scene is infused with spiritual energy typical of the Northern Renaissance style. The lower section subtly references the empty tomb and the Apostles witnessing the miraculous event, expertly unifying the earthly and divine realms within a single frame. Dürer produced this image during a highly productive period in Nuremberg, solidifying his reputation as the preeminent German printmaker of his era. This exceptional impression of the woodcut resides in the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it serves as a crucial document of early sixteenth-century artistic practice. Reflecting its historical importance, this masterwork is often designated as public domain, ensuring that these classic prints remain widely accessible for art historical study and appreciation.