The Four Avenging Angels of Euphrates, from The Apocalypse

The Four Avenging Angels of Euphrates, from The Apocalypse by Albrecht Dürer German, 1471-1528, is a powerful early masterpiece executed as a woodcut in black on tan laid paper. Created between 1496 and 1498, this work belongs to Dürer’s revolutionary series of fifteen prints illustrating the Book of Revelation. The series marked a dramatic turning point in the history of printmaking, instantly establishing the young Dürer as the preeminent graphic artist of his era.

The dramatic scene depicts the four angels bound at the river Euphrates being released by the command of the sixth trumpet angel. This liberation unleashes the destructive cavalry whose power is required, according to the prophecy, to slay a third of mankind, representing a central moment of terror in Christian eschatology. Dürer’s innovative technique pushed the limits of the traditional woodcut medium, utilizing complex cross-hatching and varying line thickness to create tonal depth previously associated only with engraving.

The dynamic composition and intense subject matter reflect the widespread religious fervor sweeping through Germany at the close of the 15th century, a period deeply focused on apocalyptic prophecy and social change. As a crucial piece within Dürer’s influential early Apocalypse series, this print cemented the artist's reputation across Europe. The piece remains one of the most studied examples of Northern Renaissance graphic arts. This highly detailed print is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Given its age and cultural significance, the work is often available for study through various public domain initiatives focusing on historical prints.