The Third Knot

Albrecht Dürer German, 1471-1528 produced the decorative work The Third Knot in 1507. This highly sophisticated print is a woodcut rendered in black ink on ivory laid paper. As one of the most important artists of the Northern Renaissance, Dürer elevated the status of the print medium from mere craft to high art. This particular example originates from the artist's foundational series known as the Knots, demonstrating the meticulous craftsmanship characteristic of early 16th-century Germany. The intricate interlocking design showcases Dürer’s theoretical interest in geometry and complex ornamental patterns, often inspired by motifs found in Italian art.

Dürer created the Knot series around the time of his second trip to Italy, engaging in an artistic dialogue with Renaissance masters such as Leonardo da Vinci, whose own ornamental interlacements were widely circulated. This print functioned less as traditional narrative art and more as a pure exercise in aesthetic line work and mathematical rigor, intended perhaps as models for decorative arts or as standalone collector's pieces. The accessibility of prints allowed Dürer's profound influence to spread rapidly across Europe. Due to their age and historical importance, many impressions of these master prints now reside in the public domain, allowing global access to the technical skill of the 1471-1528 artist. This specific impression is classified as a crucial example of Renaissance graphic design and is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.