Who painted The Apocalyptic Woman?

The Apocalyptic Woman was painted by Albrecht Dürer in 1497.

Where can I see The Apocalyptic Woman?

The Apocalyptic Woman is held by Städel Museum.

What movement is The Apocalyptic Woman?

The Apocalyptic Woman is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of The Apocalyptic Woman?

Museum-quality prints of The Apocalyptic Woman are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

The Apocalyptic Woman by Albrecht Dürer (1497)

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The woodcut portrays the Woman of the Apocalypse as described in Revelation 12, a figure clothed with the sun and standing on the moon, with a great dragon poised to devour her child. The dragon symbolizes the forces of evil opposing the divine plan, while the woman embodies both the nation of Israel and the Church, representing the unfolding of apocalyptic prophecy. Dürer emphasizes the cosmic struggle between divine authority and demonic opposition, framing the scene as a visual interpretation of the biblical vision of cosmic conflict and ultimate triumph over darkness.

Technique & Style

As a work of the German Renaissance, it combines precise line work with dramatic contrast, emphasizing the supernatural narrative of Revelation 12.

The Apocalyptic Woman is a woodcut print executed on laid paper, a typical support for Dürer’s relief prints. The image was carved in relief on a wooden block, inked, and pressed onto the sheet, a technique characteristic of his Apocalypse series. As a work of the German Renaissance, it combines precise line work with dramatic contrast, emphasizing the supernatural narrative of Revelation 12.

The composition shows the Woman of the Apocalypse clothed in sunlight, with the dragon and divine figure rendered in sharp, expressive contours that reflect Dürer’s mastery of woodcut handling and his interest in theological symbolism.

History & Provenance

The Apocalyptic Woman is a woodcut created by Albrecht Dürer in 1496, originating from Nuremberg. It is part of his Apocalypse series, inspired by Revelation 12 and depicting a woman, God, and a dragon in a religious context. The work has been held in several major institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and the Städel Museum, reflecting a documented ownership chain across prominent collections.

Its creation history is tied to the German Renaissance movement and the print medium, with physical dimensions recorded as approximately 39.2 by 28.1 centimeters in some states and up to 41.59 by 28.58 centimeters in others.

The work is held in the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. Its inventory/accession number is not specified in the sources. It has been exhibited as part of the German Renaissance collection, including in exhibitions featuring the Apocalypse series and Dürer's woodcuts, as indicated by its presence in major museum holdings and exhibition records.

Context

The Apocalyptic Woman is a woodcut print by Albrecht Dürer created in 1496 as part of his Apocalypse series, reflecting the German Renaissance movement and its religious themes. Based on Revelation 12, it depicts a woman clothed with the sun, standing on the moon, with a dragon beneath her feet, symbolizing divine triumph over evil. The work is held in multiple major collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and the Städel Museum in Frankfurt, underscoring its significance in art history.

Scholarship emphasizes its intricate composition and theological depth, situating it within Dürer's broader exploration of apocalyptic imagery and the cultural context of late 15th-century Europe.

Overview

Albrecht Dürer’s woodcut, dated around 1497, presents a complex religious tableau known as the Apocalyptic Woman. The image combines several biblical symbols within a single composition, rendered in the stark contrasts characteristic of early printmaking. It serves as a visual interpretation of a passage from the Book of Revelation, illustrating a figure traditionally associated with the Church and divine protection.