Albrecht Dürer - The Apocalypse of 1498

Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528) founded his own workshop as a graphic artist in Nuremberg in 1497
He created 15 artistic woodcuts for the Revelation of John, which were first published in a German edition
The fine woodcuts reflect the transition from the Gothic to the Renaissance in the German-speaking area

Albrecht Dürer - The Apocalypse of 1498

Bayerische Staatsbibliothek (Munich, Germany)

Description

Albrecht Dürer - The Apocalypse of 1498

The Apocalypse of 1498 is one of the highlights of Albrecht Dürer's (1471-1528) early work and was the first printed work he published entirely on his own. The then 27-year-old had recently set up his own business in Nuremberg and initially published his 15 woodcuts with the German translation of the Revelation of John, followed shortly afterwards by a Latin edition. The full-page miniatures soon became a great success and were widely received. This may be due to the great artistry evident in each and every woodcut. Dürer used the impressions of the Italian Renaissance that he had gathered on a trip to Italy a few years earlier. Although the scenes depict dramatic visions of the end times with devilish creatures, the figures appear astonishingly realistic thanks to the naturalistic conception of their bodies and movements. A true masterpiece of early printmaking!

Albrecht Dürer - The Apocalypse of 1498

Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528) was the most famous artist of the German Renaissance. His paintings, drawings, woodcuts and engravings achieved worldwide fame. His works and his writings on scientific theory are among the most important works of the late Middle Ages and influenced German and Dutch artists in particular. Dürer's Apocalypse is one of the most beautiful and important works by this universally talented master. 15 artistic woodcuts visualize the horrifying events of Revelation, the last book of the Bible, and complement the Bible text in German translation in the first edition.

A time of Transition

The Apocalypse of 1498 was not a commissioned work, rather Dürer conceived, executed and published it on his own initiative. It was also the first printed work for which the artist was solely responsible. He possibly devoted himself to the subject because he and his contemporaries lived in a world full of political and religious upheaval and characterized by expectations of the end times. There was great interest among the population in stories about the end of the world and the Day of Judgement. The Apocalypse was published just a few years before the Reformation. The work was a great financial success. It was sold countless times and brought Dürer considerable income for the rest of his life.

Stunning Woodcuts

The images in Dürer's Apocalypse are considered true marvels of German art. They consist of 15 full-page miniatures in black and white. The artist managed to achieve the greatest possible effects with his gripping depictions, completely without color. The gruesome images of monsters, angels and saints shortly before the end of the world will stay with you forever. The depiction of the four horsemen of the apocalypse in particular achieved great fame and is one of Dürer's greatest masterpieces. The paintings perfectly illustrate the transition from medieval art to the Renaissance.

Codicology

Alternative Titles: Albrecht Dürer - Die Apokalypse von 1498
Albrecht Dürer. Die Apokalypse. The Apocalypse.
Die heimliche Offenbarung Johannis
Type: Printed book on paper
Size / Format: 15 leaves / 36.5 × 29.5 cm
Origin: Germany
Date: 1498
Epochs: Late Middle Ages Onwards
Style: Renaissance
Early Prints
Genre: Apocalypses / Beatus
Language: German
Illustrations: 15 woodcuts
Content: German Edition of the Book of Revelation
Artist / School: Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528)

Available facsimile editions:

Detail Picture

Albrecht Dürer - The Apocalypse of 1498

The Binding of the Dragon

This woodcut shows a tall angel in the process of imprisoning the bound devil in the form of a scaly, horned beast in the bottomless pit for a thousand years, as told in Rev 20:1-3. Satan already has one foot in the fire-breathing hole in the ground, which is supposed to be closed by the heavy-looking lid. The angel carries the enormous key for it on his bunch of keys.

Single Page

Albrecht Dürer - The Apocalypse of 1498

Saint Michael Fighting the Dragon

After the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, the battle of the archangel Michael with the dragon is probably the best-known woodcut from Dürer's Apocalypse series. While most of the other leaves usually show several events in parallel, here the master concentrated entirely on the main event: The heavenly, human-like angels fight with various weapons against the devil's angels, who resemble dragons. Satan himself is being pierced by Michael, who dominates the scene, with his lance.

The detailed, moving figures give the depiction a tremendous dynamism that stands in stark contrast to the idyllic landscape in the lower third of the image. The latter is much less elaborate and is characterized by clear outlines and significantly less hatching. It is clearly set off from the heavenly sphere, which is additionally defined as such by clouds meandering through the turmoil.