The Betrothal of the Virgin, from "The Life of the Virgin"

The Betrothal of the Virgin, from "The Life of the Virgin," created by Albrecht Dürer in 1504, is a central piece within the celebrated series documenting the life of Christ's mother. Executed as a woodcut, this print exemplifies the German Renaissance master's revolutionary approach to graphic media, treating the often rough technique of the wood block with the precision typically reserved for engraving. The composition captures the traditional narrative moment of the Marriage of the Virgin, a popular subject in early modern devotional art.

The scene depicts the union of the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph, who stands prominently holding the staff that miraculously blossomed, identifying him as the divine choice among the suiters (Men). The action takes place within a complex architectural setting, typical of Dürer’s detailed staging, with onlookers (Women) gathered to witness the sacred union taking place under the authority of a high priest. Dürer’s masterful manipulation of light and shadow, achieved through precise hatching and cross-hatching in the woodcut medium, lends depth and emotional weight to the figures.

By the early 16th century, Dürer had established himself as Europe's leading printmaker, and the circulation of prints like this one significantly popularized his detailed compositions across Germany and Italy. This specific impression of the woodcut series The Life of the Virgin is held in the extensive collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Through his prolific graphic work, Dürer transformed the status of the print from a mere illustration into a respected, autonomous art form, ensuring the widespread influence of his Renaissance style.