The Holy Family with St. John, the Magdalen and Nicodemus

The Holy Family with St. John, the Magdalen and Nicodemus by Albrecht Dürer German, 1471-1528, is a complex early 16th-century print created between 1507 and 1517. Rather than focusing solely on the immediate Holy Family unit, this composition integrates peripheral biblical figures, namely Mary Magdalene and Nicodemus. Their presence significantly expands the narrative beyond the typical scene of Christ’s infancy, suggesting a devotional context that bridges Christ's early life with the later events of the Passion, as these two saints are traditionally associated with the burial and mourning of Christ.

The work is executed as a drypoint in black on ivory laid paper. Drypoint is a demanding intaglio technique where the artist directly incises the copper plate with a sharp needle. Unlike etching, this technique creates a characteristic burr along the line's edge, which holds ink and produces the velvety, rich tone evident in the finished print. Dürer’s (1471-1528) mastery of graphic mediums defined the aesthetic standards for Northern Renaissance prints. This inventive approach to narrative and technical precision solidified his position as the most important graphic artist in Germany during this period.

The high level of detail and emotional resonance within this composition demonstrates Dürer’s unparalleled ability to convey monumental themes through the intimate scale of a print. As a significant example of German Renaissance art, this piece offers insight into the evolving religious narratives of the era. This masterwork is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The lasting impact of Dürer’s genius means that high-quality copies and studies of such prints are often made available through public domain resources, ensuring continued scholarly appreciation.