The Seven Angels with the Trumpets, from "The Apocalypse", Latin Edition
Original title: The Seven Angels with the Trumpets, from "The Apocalypse", Latin Edition
kurzbeschreibung
Albrecht Dürer’s woodcut The Seven Angels with the Trumpets dates from 1511 and illustrates the apocalyptic vision of the Book of Revelation, in which seven angels prepare to blow their trumpets. It belongs to the Latin edition of his celebrated Apocalypse series and measures 38.9 x 28.1 cm.
Description
Seven angels, dressed in garments imagined at the time, sound their trumpets; clouds and rays of light surround them. Behind them appears the heavenly Jerusalem, borne by an angel, while in the foreground flames and smoke create an apocalyptic atmosphere. Some angels carry weapons, underscoring the militant aspect. At the bottom, people are seen affected by the events. The woodcut is monochrome and uses strong contrasts between figures and background—a hallmark of Dürer’s printed work.
Context
In 1511 the print was made as part of the Latin edition of Dürer’s Apocalypse cycle, which had first appeared in Nuremberg in 1498. The woodcuts are based on the Revelation of St John and were intended to bring the biblical events to a broad audience through images. Dürer created the series in an era of religious upheaval, when eschatological ideas were widespread. The Latin version addressed an educated, international public and cemented Dürer’s reputation beyond borders.
Impact
From the first glance, the tightly packed angels and the harsh contrast between heaven and earthly activity draw the viewer in. The precise linework and graded shading give the scene a tangible depth that guides the eye through the image. Heavenly order and earthly chaos meet—this makes the print an impressive testament to early modern printmaking.
Technique
Dürer carved the drawing into a woodblock and then printed it on paper; the print measures 38.9 x 28.1 cm and belongs to the Latin edition of 1511. The differentiated treatment of light and shadow and the finely graduated lines bring out the seven angels blowing their trumpets, the clouds and rays, the heavenly Jerusalem carried by an angel, and the flames and smoke of the apocalyptic scene with sharp clarity.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)