The Seven Angels with the Trumpets

The Seven Angels with the Trumpets by Albrecht Dürer, created between 1496 and 1498, is a seminal example of late fifteenth-century German graphic art. Executed as a woodcut on laid paper, this powerful depiction is one of fifteen blocks comprising Dürer’s revolutionary series illustrating the Apocalypse of Saint John. The production of this series marked a critical turning point in the history of prints, establishing the young artist’s reputation throughout Europe. Created during the period spanning 1401 to 1500, the intense detail and dramatic compositions distinguish this piece within the nascent Northern Renaissance.

The subject matter directly illustrates the sixth chapter of the Book of Revelation, depicting the dramatic moment when the seven angels receive the trumpets that signal the calamitous plagues destined to strike the Earth. Dürer’s approach transformed the traditional woodcut medium from a functional illustrative technique into a vehicle for high artistic drama. His sophisticated use of black and white tones, incorporating detailed cross-hatching and complex layering, allowed him to achieve a richness and tonal depth previously reserved for copperplate engraving. This particular woodcut exemplifies the visionary intensity and narrative power that made the Apocalypse series one of the most widely circulated and influential collections of prints of the era, reaching audiences well beyond Germany.

As one of the most significant graphic achievements of the age, this piece demonstrates Dürer’s ambition to elevate the status of the printmaker. This impression of the work resides in the extensive collection of the National Gallery of Art. Because of its age and profound cultural significance, the woodcut is frequently studied by scholars and is often available for viewing through public domain resources, ensuring continued access to Dürer’s influential contributions to art history.