The Virgin and Child Crowned by One Angel

The Virgin and Child Crowned by One Angel, created by the German master Albrecht Dürer in 1520, is a superb example of his technical mastery of engraving on laid paper. This highly detailed print dates from the period 1501 to 1550, when Dürer was at the height of his graphic arts career, producing some of his most demanding and spiritually potent religious compositions.

The composition centers on the serene figure of the Virgin Mary, shown seated, cradling the Christ Child, who gazes directly out at the viewer. Above them, a single angel descends swiftly from the heavens to place a small crown upon the Virgin’s head, signifying her role as the Queen of Heaven. Dürer’s meticulous approach to line work is evident throughout the piece. He utilizes precise burin cuts and controlled cross-hatching typical of Northern Renaissance prints to define volume and deep shadow, lending a sculptural quality to the figures while carefully depicting the texture of their voluminous drapery.

This piece exemplifies Dürer's ability to combine intimate devotional imagery with profound compositional structure. As the leading artist of the German Renaissance, Dürer elevated the status of prints from mere reproductions into recognized works of art, valued specifically for their technical brilliance and aesthetic merit. Produced during an era of significant religious and cultural upheaval, this work showcases the lasting influence of Italian Renaissance ideals filtered through Dürer’s distinct Northern sensibility, emphasizing sharp detail and symbolic clarity.

Unlike his monumental woodcuts, the complexity and small scale of the engraving suggest it was intended for elite collectors or as a personal devotional aid. The enduring influence and technical quality of Dürer's prints ensure that this subject is frequently found in public domain archives, allowing broad access to studies of this key period between 1501 to 1550. This exceptional impression of The Virgin and Child Crowned by One Angel is preserved within the collection of the National Gallery of Art.