The Babylonian Whore, from The Apocalypse. Facsimile

The Babylonian Whore, from The Apocalypse. Facsimile by Albrecht Dürer, produced between approximately 1485 and 1528, reproduces one of the most iconic images from Dürer’s revolutionary Apocalypse series. While the original work was a woodcut print, this piece is classified as a facsimile, faithfully replicating the dramatic intensity and intricate line work that characterized the Northern Renaissance master’s graphic output.

The subject illustrates the prophetic vision described in the Book of Revelation, depicting the Whore of Babylon seated upon the seven-headed beast. This complex iconography features numerous figures, including both men and women, who witness the moral peril and impending chaos. Dürer’s detailed handling emphasizes the figure’s luxurious, yet dangerous, elevation, contrasting her serene position with the terror unfolding among the onlookers below.

Dürer’s original Apocalypse series, first published in 1498, secured his reputation as Europe’s leading graphic artist. His innovative use of the woodcut medium elevated prints from mere religious illustrations to powerful, autonomous works of art. The accessibility of these prints allowed for their widespread dissemination across Europe, spreading the artist's fame and profoundly influencing subsequent generations of artists working in printmaking.

This facsimile allows close study of Dürer’s mastery of narrative and composition, capturing the essence of the High Renaissance style applied to apocalyptic themes. The work is held in the extensive collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Due to the early date range of the original production, many of Dürer’s highly influential prints are now considered part of the public domain, ensuring continued access and scholarly examination of pieces like The Babylonian Whore.