The Sixth Knot (combining seven small systems of knots with black centers)

The Sixth Knot (combining seven small systems of knots with black centers) is a masterful woodcut created by the celebrated German artist Albrecht Dürer between 1506 and 1507. This highly detailed piece belongs to Dürer’s famous series known collectively as The Six Knots (Knoten), a set of purely abstract graphic designs based entirely on complex geometric principles. The systematic creation of such designs during the period of 1501 to 1550 exemplifies the growing intersection of art and science that defined the Northern Renaissance.

The intricate design of this work is characterized by seven interconnected systems of looping lines that perpetually intertwine without beginning or end, all centered around distinct black nodes. Dürer’s command over the demanding technique required for cutting and printing such highly resolved, continuous lines demonstrates his unparalleled mastery of the woodcut medium. Unlike many of his predecessors, Dürer effectively elevated prints from illustrative components to independent art forms capable of conveying profound mathematical ideas.

As a pivotal German figure in graphic arts, Dürer ensured these abstract designs possessed both intellectual rigor and decorative appeal. The meticulous execution of The Sixth Knot highlights Dürer’s signature precision and control, making the technical realization of the piece as important as its conceptual framework. This significant woodcut currently resides in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., where it stands as a prime example of graphic arts innovation from the early sixteenth century. Because many of Dürer’s celebrated prints are today part of the public domain, this important contribution to geometric art remains widely accessible for study and appreciation worldwide.