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

The Betrothal of the Virgin, from "The Life of the Virgin" is a seminal print created by Albrecht Dürer in 1504. Executed as a woodcut, this panel is one of nineteen scenes in the artist's celebrated series chronicling the life and history of the Virgin Mary. The composition depicts the essential narrative moment of the marriage ceremony between Mary and Saint Joseph, overseen by a high priest, who stands centrally between the couple.

Dürer’s approach is highly characteristic of the German Northern Renaissance, utilizing profound architectural detail and dramatic linear movement to give the sacred scene a monumental presence. Unlike earlier, more static religious illustrations, Dürer infused his prints with the scale and emotional depth typically associated with major altarpieces or paintings. His technical skill in handling the woodcut medium revolutionized printmaking, transforming it from a simple illustrative tool into a serious art form capable of sophisticated narrative complexity.

The commercial and artistic success of The Life of the Virgin series helped establish Dürer as the most influential graphic artist of the early 16th century. This specific print exemplifies his mastery of line and shadow, which allowed for unprecedented levels of detail in a black-and-white medium. As a pivotal figure in print history, Dürer ensured that works depicting key Catholic subjects, such as the Virgin Mary, gained wide distribution across Europe. Today, the original 1504 woodcut of The Betrothal of the Virgin is preserved in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it serves as a prime example of the artist’s revolutionary achievements in graphic arts. Like many masterworks of this period, high-resolution images and fine art prints are often available through public domain initiatives.