1513
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Nativity is a 1513 ink by Albrecht Altdorfer, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image shows a night scene with a group of people gathered around a small building. The figures look simple but expressive, with some pointing toward a bright star above. The background is dark, with trees and rocky ground, while the sky has a few stars and a moon. The artist used sharp lines and shading to create depth, which was common in woodcuts of this time. This print was made by carving into wood and inking it, a method that let artists share their work widely. Next, check out the technique: woodcut to see how this print was made.
Albrecht Altdorfer (c. 1480 – 12 February 1538) was a German painter, engraver and architect of the Renaissance working in Regensburg. Along with Lucas Cranach the Elder and Wolf Huber he is regarded to be the main…
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