The Virgin and Child on a Crescent with a Starry Crown

The Virgin and Child on a Crescent with a Starry Crown, executed by German Renaissance master Albrecht Dürer in 1508, is a superb example of copperplate engraving. This period, 1501 to 1550, represents the apex of printmaking innovation, driven significantly by Dürer’s dedication to technical precision and artistic quality in prints. The work was created using the painstaking method of engraving on laid paper, a medium Dürer utilized to circulate his sophisticated religious iconography widely across Europe.

The composition adheres closely to traditional Marian imagery, specifically depicting Mary as the Woman of the Apocalypse (Revelation 12:1). She stands upon the crescent moon, often symbolizing the triumph of the Church over heresy, and wears a crown composed of stars. The Christ Child, naked and active, turns toward the viewer while Mary gazes downward in serene humility. The figures are rendered with the minute detail characteristic of Dürer’s mature German technique, contrasting sharply delineated drapery folds with the smooth, idealized skin tones achieved through complex cross-hatching and controlled line work.

This engraving belongs to a renowned series of small-format Marian prints that Dürer produced, which demonstrated his ability to imbue monumental power into seemingly miniature works. Dürer’s use of light and shadow emphasizes the holiness of the figures, making the work immediately compelling to the devotional culture of the 16th century.

This piece, like many of Dürer’s defining prints, revolutionized the status of printmaking, elevating it from a craft medium to an independent artistic form. The work is held within the celebrated collection of the National Gallery of Art. Due to its historical significance and age, this masterwork and related historical records are often available through scholarly resources and public domain collections, ensuring continued access for art historians and enthusiasts worldwide.