Titelprent met Johannes de Evangelist en Maria met het Christuskind

Titelprent met Johannes de Evangelist en Maria met het Christuskind by Albrecht Dürer, created in 1511, is a significant example of German Renaissance printmaking. Executed on paper, this impressive print demonstrates Dürer’s unparalleled technical skill in producing devotional images meant for a wide audience. As the title suggests, the composition centers on the figures of the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child, accompanied by Saint John the Evangelist. The iconography combines fundamental New Testament figures within a unified and highly detailed graphic space.

Dürer, working primarily in Nuremberg, revolutionized the status of prints in Germany during the early 16th century, elevating the medium from mere illustration to autonomous works of fine art. The year 1511 was particularly prolific for the artist, marking the publication and republication of several major print series, including the Small Passion and the Life of the Virgin. This title page would have likely served as a frontispiece to introduce one of these comprehensive spiritual cycles, establishing the tone and providing spiritual guidance to the viewer before engaging with the subsequent images.

The detailed rendering, sharp contrast, and profound spiritual weight of this piece are characteristic of Dürer’s mature graphic style. While originally created for mass dissemination during the Renaissance, the enduring artistic quality of the work ensures its status as a masterpiece of Northern European art. This important print forms part of the esteemed collection of the Rijksmuseum, contributing to the understanding of religious imagery and the widespread distribution of art through the medium of prints, many of which are now accessible through public domain initiatives globally.