Virgin and Child Crowned by an Angel

The masterful engraving, Virgin and Child Crowned by an Angel by Albrecht Dürer, was executed in 1520 toward the end of the artist’s prolific career as a printmaker. As a pioneer of the Northern Renaissance, Dürer used the complex medium of copperplate engraving to achieve unparalleled detail and texture, evident in the precise modeling of forms and the delicate handling of light and shadow across the figures. The late date of 1520 places this work among Dürer's most refined prints, reflecting a mature command over the burin and an understanding of line capable of mimicking the subtleties of painting.

The scene focuses intently on the tender relationship between the Madonna and Child, a central theological subject throughout Dürer’s oeuvre. The composition shows the Virgin seated, holding the Infant Jesus, who looks directly out toward the viewer. Above them, a small Angel descends, holding a crown in a symbolic gesture that sanctifies the pair and emphasizes Mary’s future role as Queen of Heaven. This intimate arrangement, characteristic of German devotional art, transforms a traditional motif into a moment of quiet solemnity while demonstrating Dürer’s ability to imbue spiritual figures with human warmth.

This exceptional example of Dürer's graphic output is preserved in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it serves as a key representation of 16th-century German artistic achievement. The detail and high technical quality ensured that prints of Dürer’s work circulated widely across Europe during the 16th century, cementing his reputation. Because of the age and importance of the image, the composition is now widely accessible, often falling within the public domain, allowing for widespread study and appreciation of Dürer’s enduring legacy as the era's preeminent engraver.