Virgin and Child with Saint Anne

Virgin and Child with Saint Anne is a distinguished painting created by the German Renaissance master Albrecht Dürer in 1519. Executed in oil on linden panel, this work demonstrates the artist's mature style, blending Northern European precision with Italianate compositional balance, particularly evident in the triangular arrangement of the figures.

The composition depicts Saint Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary, standing protectively behind her daughter, who cradles the infant Christ Child. This popular devotional subject, often referred to as the Anna Selbdritt in German, emphasizes the holy lineage of Jesus and served as an important icon for private meditation. Dürer renders the three figures with remarkable psychological depth and textural realism, hallmarks of his technique. The Virgin Mary gazes tenderly at the infant, while Saint Anne looks directly outward, engaging the viewer with a steady, contemplative expression that reflects the solemnity of the subject.

Created during a period of intense religious and intellectual ferment across Europe, Dürer’s fame was built equally on his meticulous panel paintings and his revolutionary approach to graphic prints. This piece showcases his ability to transition seamlessly from detailed graphic work into monumental devotional painting, maintaining a rigorous attention to detail in the drapery and facial features. The smooth surface of the linden panel enabled the high-detail finishing characteristic of Renaissance masters working outside of Italy. The painting is a key example of Dürer's later period and is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. High-resolution images of this masterwork are frequently available through public domain initiatives, facilitating international scholarly access.