Durer, Albrecht (1471-1528)

The Flight Into Egypt

      Albrecht Durer, 1503 AN EXQUISITE WOODCUT FROM ALBRECHT DURER'S GROUNDBREAKING LIFE OF THE VIRGIN SERIES Woodcut ca. 1503 Literature: Bartsch, Le peintre graveur, 89; Meder, Durer-Katalog, 201, after text; Troyen, Life of the Virgin This exquisite woodcut entitled, "Flight into Egypt," was originally produced for Albrecht Durer's famed Life of the Virgin cycle. Durer began assembling the works for the series in 1501, publishing the first complete edition of it in 1511. Life of the Virgin ultimately contained 19 woodcuts by Durer and a Latin text supplied by Benedictus Chelidonius. The series as a whole and this woodcut in particular marvelously demonstrate Durer's unparalleled skills as a graphic artist. Indeed, this lush work, which remains in superb condition, beautifully demonstrates Durer's exemplary and crisp modeling skills, keen awareness of human psychology, and consummate understanding of the Italianate one-point perspective system. .