The Visitation, from "The Life of the Virgin"

The Visitation, from "The Life of the Virgin" by Albrecht Dürer, is a significant Northern Renaissance woodcut executed between 1503 and 1504. This print forms a key part of the artist’s seminal series dedicated to the life of the Virgin Mary, a monumental project that helped cement Dürer’s reputation as the foremost graphic artist of his era. By harnessing the expressive power of the woodcut medium, Dürer elevated the technical standards and artistic potential of mass-produced prints.

The composition centers on the meeting between the pregnant Virgin Mary and her cousin Saint Elizabeth, a narrative pivotal to Christian tradition. Elizabeth, bowing deeply on the steps of her home, greets Mary in an exchange that combines emotional gravitas with Dürer’s characteristic attention to detail. The background features complex architectural details and natural elements, including trees that frame the scene. Subsidiary figures are included to enrich the setting: a man waits below the steps, and a small dog accompanies the central women in the foreground, injecting elements of everyday life into the sacred encounter.

Dürer’s masterful manipulation of line work defines the voluminous drapery and creates deep shadows, showcasing the sophisticated modeling he brought to his prints. As one of the most important German artists of the 16th century, Dürer’s work was widely circulated and highly influential throughout Europe. This specific impression of The Visitation is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, preserving a vital example of Dürer’s innovative approach to printmaking.