The Visitation, from The Fall and Redemption of Man

Art Historical Context

Welcome to the Art Institute of Chicago's and Drawings collection, where you'll find *The Visitation, from The Fall and Redemption of Man (1513), a delicate woodcut by Albrecht Altdorfer. This gem, measuring just 7.2 × 4.8 cm, captures a pivotal biblical moment—likely the meeting of the Virgin Mary and her cousin Elizabeth—within a larger series narrating humanity's fall and salvation. Printed in black ink on ivory laid paper, exemplifies early 16th-century German printmaking, a time when religious imagery flourished amid the Northern Renaissance. Altdorfer, a master of the Danube School, was renowned for his innovative landscapes infused with spiritual depth, though here his skill shines in the precise carving of the woodblock for relief printing. Woodcuts like this were revolutionary: affordable and reproducible, they democratized art, allowing devotional scenes to reach homes and pilgrims beyond elite patrons. The medium's bold lines and stark contrasts heighten the drama of the sacred encounter, blending intricate detail with Altdorfer's signature atmospheric sensitivity. This print not only reflects the era's fervent piety—just before Luther's Reformation—but also highlights printmaking's role in visual storytelling. Imagine holding this intimate artwork in your hand, a portal to 500-year-old faith and artistry. A true treasure for any visitor!

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...