The Whore of Babylon

"The Whore of Babylon" is a powerful woodcut on laid paper created by Albrecht Dürer in 1498. This image is one of the fifteen large prints comprising Dürer’s revolutionary Apocalypse series, a body of work that dramatically redefined the possibilities of graphic arts within the 1401 to 1500 period. The subject matter, drawn from Chapter 17 of the Book of Revelation, showcases the intense spiritual anxieties prevalent in German culture as the century drew to a close, a time often associated with millennial predictions.

Dürer utilizes the woodcut medium with unprecedented detail and dramatic force. The composition centers on the figure of the crowned Whore, identified by her cup of abominations, seated atop the fearsome seven-headed, ten-horned scarlet beast. The artist employs dense cross-hatching and sophisticated line work to model the figures, conveying a sense of monumental scale and tumultuous movement. Unlike earlier, often rudimentary uses of the medium, Dürer elevates the woodcut to the level of complex engraving, demonstrating a mastery that ensures the narrative force of the image is deeply felt.

This series was instrumental in establishing Dürer's reputation throughout Europe. The creation and widespread distribution of these high-quality prints cemented his status as a leading Renaissance master and made his terrifying, yet precise, vision of the apocalypse definitive for subsequent generations. This particular impression of The Whore of Babylon highlights the technical refinement achieved by the German artist. As a historically significant piece from the late fifteenth century, the artwork remains a crucial object for study, and images of the original print are often found within the public domain for educational and reference purposes. The work resides in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.