The Beast with Seven Heads and the Beast with Lamb's Horns
Original title: The Beast with Seven Heads and the Beast with Lamb's Horns
kurzbeschreibung
Albrecht Dürer's woodcut "The Beast with Seven Heads and the Beast with Lamb's Horns" (c. 1498) brings to life an apocalyptic vision from the Book of Revelation. A crowned figure sits enthroned on clouds in the upper part, accompanied by two angels; below, a lion, a dragon, and other figures appear.
Description
Two distinct levels structure the print. Above, a magnificently robed, crowned figure sits on clouds, flanked by two angels, with rays emanating from it. In the lower section, traditionally dressed people crowd around a lion and a dragon. The animals are captured in dynamic poses, suggesting a confrontation. Clouds and rays run through the image, creating a heavenly atmosphere. The woodcut remains monochrome in shades of grey, with sharp contours and rich lines.
Context
This woodcut belongs to Dürer's Apocalypse series, published in Nuremberg in 1498. The series interprets the Book of Revelation and was among the first books an artist published himself. The prints were aimed at a broad audience and combined theological themes with artistic innovations.
Impact
The symmetrical arrangement and the animated animal figures create a tension between heavenly order and earthly chaos. Clear structure and fine lines give the print a calm yet insistent presence.
Technique
Light areas were carved away from the woodblock, while the dark lines remained as ridges, producing the image. The varying density of these lines creates the shading that gives the scene its depth, so that the crowned figure on the clouds and the sharply outlined animals below stand out clearly against one another. The sheet measures 38.2 x 28.1 cm and is regarded as a typical example of Dürer's precise printed graphics.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)