The Virgin Nursing the Christ Child with Four Angels

The Virgin Nursing the Christ Child with Four Angels by Albrecht Dürer is a masterful German woodcut executed around 1500, marking the transition from the 15th to the 16th century. This print exemplifies the profound technical mastery Dürer brought to graphic arts. Unlike traditional methods where the artist might provide a drawing to a specialized block cutter, Dürer often oversaw, or personally executed, the intricate cutting process required for his detailed compositions. The resulting work elevates the woodcut medium, typically reserved for simpler illustrations, into a refined art form capable of subtle shading and complex narrative structure.

The composition centers on the Virgin Mary engaged in the intimate act of lactans (nursing), a popular iconographic motif in devotional art of the period. Mary is supported by four celestial beings, two positioned above her head and two below, holding a banner or perhaps simply reinforcing the sacred nature of the moment. The symmetry and clarity of the composition, typical of early Renaissance ideals, reveal Dürer’s exposure to Italian artistic principles, which he successfully integrated into the powerful linear tradition of German graphic design. Despite the relatively small scale of the finished piece, Dürer ensures that the texture of the drapery and the emotional connection between mother and child are fully realized through controlled lines and careful hatchwork.

As a print created during the 1401 to 1500 period, the ability to produce multiple impressions allowed this image to circulate widely across Europe, solidifying Dürer's reputation internationally. The widespread availability of prints made works of religious devotion accessible to a broad public. This important piece is maintained within the collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it serves as a key example of the technical innovation achieved by Dürer in his early career. Works such as this, produced centuries ago, frequently enter the public domain, ensuring their continued study and appreciation globally.