The Nativity, from "The Little Passion"
Original title: The Nativity, from "The Little Passion"
kurzbeschreibung
Albrecht Dürer's woodcut from the series 'The Small Passion' presents the Nativity. It is dated around 1509–1511. Mary, Joseph, and the Christ Child appear in a quiet manger scene. The print measures 12.7 x 9.8 cm.
Description
The Christ Child occupies the center, with Mary standing to his left and Joseph kneeling to his right. Further back, other figures appear, including one holding a bird and others near a building. Above the child, a star shines. The layout feels clear and rich in detail; monochrome lines and hatching shape bodies and surfaces.
Context
Between 1509 and 1511 in Nuremberg, Dürer created his 'Small Passion,' a series of 37 woodcuts on the life and suffering of Christ. It was intended for a broad market and circulated both as single sheets and in book form. With woodcut, Dürer made biblical narratives accessible to a wide audience.
Impact
The small format and delicate linework create a gathering, devotional mood. The clear arrangement of figures directs the eye to the child and the star, thus emphasizing the message of the birth. The monochrome increases the graphic presence and brings out the essential.
Technique
The scene fills the small sheet, with the figures arranged compactly around the central birth and the star above. Fine lines and cross-hatching model light and shadow, giving the monochrome image a balanced, evenly lit appearance.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)