The Fall of Man

Art Historical Context

Albrecht Altdorfer's *The Fall of Man*, around 1513, captures the biblical story of Adam and Eve's from Eden in a remarkably intimate woodcut on laid paper. Measuring just 7.2 × 4.9 cm, this tiny print exemplifies the German Renaissance artist's mastery of the Danube School, a movement celebrated for its luminous landscapes and intricate details drawn from nature. Altdorfer, a pioneering printmaker and painter from Regensburg, infused religious narratives with dramatic, almost fantastical environments, blending spiritual allegory with observed reality. As a woodcut, the work showcases the technique's bold lines and tonal contrasts achieved through skilled carving into wooden blocks, allowing for multiple impressions that democratized art during the early 16th century. The trimmed sheet highlights its portability—ideal for personal devotion or collectors—while the fine laid paper preserves the crisp texture of Altdorfer's cross-hatching, evoking depth in such a minuscule format. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's Rosenwald Collection, this print reflects the era's fervor for biblical themes amid the eve of the Reformation, underscoring Altdorfer's role in elevating woodcuts from mere illustration to sophisticated art. Visitors will appreciate its delicate power, a window into Renaissance ingenuity.

About the Artist

Albrecht Altdorfer · 1475–1538

Albrecht Altdorfer (c. 1480–1538) was a German painter, printmaker, and draftsman who stands as one of the founders of landscape painting as an independent genre. Born in Regensburg or nearby Altdorf, he learned art from his father Ulrich, a painter and miniaturist. Altdorfer spent most of his life in Regensburg, becoming a citizen in 1505 and later serving as the city's official architect and a m...