The Virgin and Child on a Crescent with a Sceptre and a Starry Crown

The Virgin and Child on a Crescent with a Sceptre and a Starry Crown, created by Albrecht Dürer in 1516, is a sophisticated example of the master engraver's skill during the German High Renaissance. Executed as a refined engraving on laid paper, this print showcases the iconic subject of the Madonna and Child, here positioned triumphantly upon a crescent moon, a powerful symbol associated with the Immaculate Conception and the Woman of the Apocalypse. Mary is depicted crowned with a halo of stars and holds a scepter, signifying her traditional role as the Queen of Heaven, while the Christ Child holds a sphere, perhaps symbolizing his dominion over the world.

Dürer, a towering figure in Northern European art, excelled in translating complex theological imagery into highly detailed and technically demanding prints. This work belongs firmly within the period of 1501 to 1550, a dynamic era when German artistry was rapidly evolving alongside profound intellectual and religious shifts leading up to and during the Reformation. Despite the relatively small scale of the composition, Dürer achieved remarkable depth and modeling through the precise control of the burin, creating nuanced contrasts between light and shadow on the figure's robes and the surrounding space.

The finesse and reproducibility inherent in the engraving technique allowed Dürer to circulate this image widely, demonstrating the growing importance of prints as a medium for mass distribution of religious iconography across Europe. As one of Dürer’s later Marian depictions, this print represents a mature continuation of the tradition of devotional imagery central to the era. The refined composition and technical brilliance ensure its place among the artist's finest graphic works. This significant example of early sixteenth-century prints is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, contributing to the institution's comprehensive holdings of European masterworks. Artwork from this prolific German artist, especially historic prints like this one, are often made available through public domain initiatives, allowing broader study of the period's cultural and technical production.