The Beast with Two Horns Like a Lamb, from "The Apocalypse"

The Beast with Two Horns Like a Lamb, from "The Apocalypse" is a seminal woodcut created by Albrecht Dürer in 1498. This dramatic image is one of fifteen major prints that constitute Dürer's revolutionary Apocalypse series, published during a period of intense religious anxiety leading up to the turn of the century. As a masterful example of the German Renaissance, this work elevated the technical and expressive possibilities of the woodcut medium, transforming it from a simple illustrative tool into a serious form of artistic expression. Dürer’s ambitious visual interpretation of the Book of Revelation resonated deeply with the public, securing his reputation across Europe.

The print illustrates the moment described in Revelation 13 when the second Beast compels all men to worship the first Beast and receive its mark. Dürer visualizes the second Beast prominently in the center, characterized by its deceptively benign appearance-horns "like a lamb"-juxtaposed with its monstrous power and the serpentine tails of the first Beast that surround it. Surrounding this central figure, throngs of men and women kneel in a state of reverence or terror, showcasing the chaotic spread of the prophecy. Dürer incorporates complex theological symbolism and human drama, often including detailed figures of Angels intervening in the chaos or witnessing the judgment from above.

This exceptional example of early Northern European prints is housed within the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Dürer's precise cross-hatching and command of line give the woodcut an unprecedented complexity, rivaling the detail previously reserved for engraving. Because this piece is part of a widely distributed print series, and due to its age and historical importance, high-quality images of this remarkable work are often accessible through public domain archives, allowing broad study of the Renaissance master's contribution to the history of prints and printmaking.