Third Knot

Third Knot is an intricate woodcut created by the celebrated German Renaissance artist, Albrecht Dürer, around 1506-1507. This piece belongs to a famous series of six highly complex ornamental designs known collectively as the Knoten (Knots). Executed shortly after or during Dürer's second pivotal trip to Venice, these prints reflect the profound influence of Italian Renaissance design, specifically the elaborate interlace patterns pioneered by figures like Leonardo da Vinci. Dürer’s adoption of these complex models demonstrates his efforts to merge northern European technical skill with southern aesthetic innovation.

As a master of the woodcut technique, Dürer elevated what was traditionally a popular medium into a vehicle for incredible precision. The complexity of Third Knot lies in the seamless weaving of the lines, creating a hypnotic, purely decorative composition devoid of narrative subject matter. The interlocking ribbons form a dense, symmetrical pattern, demonstrating the mathematical rigor applied to graphic design during this important period of printmaking in Germany. Unlike Dürer's narrative woodcuts, these designs served primarily as models for artisans, jewelers, and decorative painters across Europe.

Although the image itself is now widely considered to be in the public domain, the technical quality and rarity of these original prints remain vital scholarly subjects. The exceptional preservation of this example allows viewers to appreciate Dürer’s unparalleled draughtsmanship and his ability to translate subtle pen work onto the difficult woodblock medium. This key example of early modern German printmaking is housed in the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.