The Assumption and Coronation of the Virgin, from The Life of the Virgin

The Assumption and Coronation of the Virgin, from The Life of the Virgin is a powerful woodcut created by Albrecht Dürer in 1510. This pivotal piece belongs to Dürer’s celebrated series chronicling the life of Mary and demonstrates the artist's masterful command over the demanding print medium.

The composition dramatically depicts the Virgin Mary being elevated heavenward, surrounded by a radiant mandorla and a host of adoring Angels. The theological event of the Assumption of the Virgin is presented with spectacular celestial energy, contrasting sharply with the earthly scene below. In the lower register, the apostles, identified here as Men, are gathered around her open tomb, registering astonishment and reverence as they witness the miracle. Dürer’s meticulous handling of line work allows him to achieve complex tonal variations and textures rarely seen in earlier woodcuts, positioning him as the preeminent graphic artist of the Northern Renaissance.

Dürer maximized the potential of the woodcut technique, rendering minute details and dramatic contrasts between light and shadow that define the spiritual significance of the event. The careful articulation of the figures and drapery, combined with the dynamic poses of the attending Angels, creates a sense of movement and divine glory in the heavenly sphere.

This influential print, a cornerstone example of early sixteenth-century German art, resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Prints from this highly successful series were widely distributed during Dürer’s lifetime. Today, high-quality reproductions of this work are often available through public domain art resources, ensuring broad access to Dürer’s enduring legacy in printmaking.