Virgin and Child with the Monkey

Virgin and Child with the Monkey is an exquisite engraving created by the German Renaissance master Albrecht Dürer around 1498. This early print is a foundational example of Dürer's profound technical skill, demonstrating his sophisticated use of the burin to achieve remarkably fine detail, deep textural contrast, and atmospheric perspective within the demanding medium of the print.

The composition presents the figures of the Madonna and Child seated on a stone bench, overlooking a sweeping, detailed landscape that recedes into the background. Characteristic of Northern Renaissance art, Dürer included highly symbolic elements. The figure of the monkey, securely tethered to the bench in the lower right, is generally interpreted by art historians as a symbol of human sin, lust, or the folly of the material world. Contrasting this earthly tether, a cluster of small birds can be seen taking flight above the Virgin’s head, serving as traditional symbols of the soul and spiritual purity.

Dürer’s profound influence on the graphic arts is evidenced by the wide circulation and study of his prints during the late 15th and early 16th centuries. This work expertly balances devotional subject matter with complex naturalistic detail, cementing Dürer’s reputation as one of the period’s most innovative draftsmen.

Today, impressions of this seminal work are highly prized, reflecting its importance in art history. This particular impression of Virgin and Child with the Monkey resides in the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Given its age and status as a masterwork of the graphic arts, high-resolution reproductions are frequently available through public domain resources, allowing broad access to Dürer’s genius.