The Opening of the Fifth and Sixth Seals, from The Apocalypse

The Opening of the Fifth and Sixth Seals, from The Apocalypse is a pivotal woodcut created by the German master Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528) between 1496 and 1498. This powerful image is rendered using the relief process of woodcut in black ink on tan laid paper. Dürer’s revolutionary approach to printmaking transformed the often-crude woodcut medium into a vehicle for dramatic narrative detail and complex spatial depth, rivaling the intricacy of contemporary engraving techniques.

The work belongs to Dürer’s highly influential Apocalypse series, illustrating the final, prophetic book of the New Testament. This specific scene depicts the harrowing events following the breaking of the Fifth and Sixth Seals by the Lamb of God. In the lower left, the martyrs under the altar cry out for justice, clothed in white robes gifted by God. The central action, however, focuses on the cosmic chaos unleashed by the opening of the Sixth Seal: the sun darkens, the moon turns blood-red, and a catastrophic earthquake causes mountains to collapse as the high and low inhabitants of the earth flee in terror.

This emphasis on apocalyptic drama and psychological intensity was characteristic of the Northern Renaissance, particularly in Germany during the tumultuous late 15th century. The widespread dissemination of these prints cemented Dürer’s reputation across Europe and secured the foundational status of his series in the history of prints. This exceptional impression of The Opening of the Fifth and Sixth Seals is preserved within the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, reflecting its enduring value as both historical artifact and technical masterwork. High-resolution images of this piece are frequently made available through public domain initiatives for scholarly study.