The influential German master Albrecht Dürer created the exquisite engraving titled Virgin Crowned by an Angel in 1520. This precise example of the Northern Renaissance style demonstrates Dürer’s unparalleled skill in handling the burin. As the foremost exponent of the graphic arts in early modern Germany, Dürer elevated printmaking to an independent fine art, producing images that were widely distributed across Europe, solidifying his international reputation.
The subject centers on the Virgin Mary, shown receiving a celestial crown from a hovering angel, a common motif depicting her role as the Queen of Heaven. Dürer’s meticulous approach to detail is evident in the intricate folds of the drapery and the masterful shading achieved through complex cross-hatching. Unlike woodcuts, the fine lines inherent to copperplate engraving allowed Dürer to render textures and luminosity with extreme subtlety. This piece, created toward the end of the artist’s prolific career in prints, exemplifies his technical mastery over the medium. As historical works like this are often classified within the public domain, the artistic legacy of Dürer’s achievement remains widely accessible for study and appreciation. This masterwork is preserved in the esteemed collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
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