The Virgin and Child Seated by the Wall
Medium
engraving
Dimensions
platemark: 14.7 × 9.9 cm · paper: 15 × 10.2 cm
Classification
Department
Prints
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of The Print Club of Cleveland by exchange, and purchase from the Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund
Accession Number
1977.20
Tags
About this artwork
The Virgin in this small engraving appears monumental against a contemporary view of Nuremberg castle. Although she looks regal, Dürer underscores her humanity by presenting her in this modern context and by adding commonplace household keys and a money purse at her waist. As she sits serenely, the Christ Child displays an apple to the viewer as a reminder of the past, specifically the Fall of man and his divine role in the redemption of humanity. The arrangement and introspective character of t...