“The Fourth Knot”, Interlaced Roundel with a Round Medallion in its Center

“The Fourth Knot”, Interlaced Roundel with a Round Medallion in its Center is a masterful woodcut created by Albrecht Dürer sometime between 1500 and 1521. This work belongs to Dürer's highly influential series of prints known collectively as the Six Knots or Sechs Knoten, which are considered landmark examples of Northern Renaissance decorative design and the high art of pure ornament.

The piece exhibits remarkable graphic precision, featuring complex interwoven lines that form an intricate, symmetrical interlaced roundel centered around a smaller, defined medallion. The sheer technical challenge of accurately rendering such detailed geometric patterns in the demanding medium of the woodcut demonstrates Dürer’s exceptional proficiency as a printmaker. These designs are purely abstract and decorative, intended not only as standalone art but also as influential models and pattern sources for other artisans across Europe, including goldsmiths, tapestry weavers, and painters.

Dürer's focus on structured ornamental motifs reflects the broader Renaissance fascination with mathematical harmony, geometry, and classical design principles. Unlike many of the German master’s narrative prints and famous engravings, this series isolates the subject of ornament, establishing Dürer as a pivotal figure in advancing decorative graphic arts. This significant example of early 16th-century prints is now preserved in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. As part of its historical classification and broad appeal, this important woodcut is frequently made available through the public domain, ensuring Dürer’s enduring contributions to ornamental design remain widely accessible.