Albrecht Dürer - The Apocalypse of 1498

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.