1504
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Dominant colour
Life of the Virgin: The Circumcision is a 1504 by Albrecht Dürer, a Renaissance work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
This engraving shows a crowded scene inside a dimly lit building with an arched doorway. A group of people—some dressed in robes, others in armor—stand around a woman holding a baby. A few animals, including a cow, are mixed in with the crowd. The walls have simple stone blocks, and a circular window lets in faint light. Notice how the artist used sharp lines and deep shadows to create a sense of depth and drama. The mix of everyday people and animals feels chaotic but purposeful. If you like this style, look up Renaissance next.
Albrecht Dürer spent his life in Nuremberg, a busy German city where artists traded prints like currency.
See the richer artist page
![Madonna and Child [obverse]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/d7b8ebf05d22ebe5/thumb.webp)
![Lot and His Daughters [reverse]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/b4ebf9b282faa17a/thumb.webp)
