The Sixth Knot (before 1521)
Original title: “The Sixth Knot”. Interlaced Roundel with Seven Wreaths
kurzbeschreibung
Before 1521, Albrecht Dürer produced the woodcut 'The Sixth Knot'. A symmetrical braid of ribbons is framed by seven wreaths. The sheet belongs to Dürer's six-part knot series, which draws on ornamental models.
Description
An interlaced ribbon pattern fills the center of the image, surrounded by seven smaller wreaths with related motifs. Two large, stylized flowers sit at the edge, and another structure in their middle. The print appears in black on white, with even linework. The arrangement feels strictly symmetrical and thought through to the last detail.
Context
Around 1505–1507 the six knots were made, probably after Italian models, which in turn refer to Oriental ornaments. As pattern sheets they served craftsmen such as goldsmiths or for inlay work. The date 'before 1521' refers to a later edition that Dürer issued in his old age.
Impact
The geometric rigor and the rhythmic alternation of the ribbon patterns define the sheet. Symmetry and precise lines evoke a calm, almost meditative effect. Black and white reduce the image to ornamental clarity and demonstrate manual skill.
Technique
The restriction to black and white forces the intricate interlace into pure line, so that the seven wreaths and central roundel read as a single rhythmic mesh rather than separate motifs. Without colour or tone to separate the elements, the composition depends entirely on the precision and evenness of the linear pattern, which gives the sheet its cool, almost mathematical clarity. This graphic reduction is what allows the symmetry to function as the dominant expressive means.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)