In this monumental piece, Dürer’s remarkable architectural sense is even more revealed to his audience.  His use of various columns and recessed ceiling panels make way for an exercise in depth perception and execution.  His shading recalls that of many others in this series; stark contrasts in light and dark illuminate the vast room and help convey the crowded, bustling aura of the people who have come to watch this Presentation of Christ.

According to W. Strauss (1980), “Almost overpowered by the monumental architecture, denoting the weightiness of the Old Law, Joseph and Mary present the infant Christ in the Temple of Jerusalem.  The child is held by Simeon, while the prophetess Hannah points her finger.  The Virgin child is held by Simeon, while the prophetess Hannah points her finger.  The Virgin is offering a dove as sacrifice; Joseph is pictured very much as in the two preceding sheets.  Even more than in ‘The Circumcision,’ Dürer succeeds in drawing the beholder in the changer” (pg. 325-7)

Created in c. 1505, this work is monogrammed ‘AD’ on a slate in the lower left of the image.  A Meder (b) of (f) impression, this work is printed on a fine laid paper with the Bishop’s Crest Watermark (Meder 39, not in Briquet) dating this work to c. 1540-1550.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
Albrecht Durer The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (The Life of the Virgin), c. 1505 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoice accompanying the final sale of the work):

1. Bartsch. The Illustrated Bartsch Vol. 10. Edited by Walter L. Strauss. New York: Abaris Books, 1981.Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 88.

2. Kurth, W. Dr. The Complete Woodcuts of Albrecht Dürer. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.,1963. The Complete Woodcuts of Albrecht Dürer. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 186.

3. Meder, J. Dürer-Katalog. Wien: Verlag Gilhoffer & Ranschburg, 1932.  Listed as catalogue raisonné no. 200. Watermark listed and illustrated as M Wz. 39 on pgs. 301-302.

4. Pawlak, M. Albrecht Dürer: 1471 bis 1528, Das gesamte Graphische Werk, Druckgraphik, Band II. München, Verlag Rogner & Bernhard GMBH.  Listed and illustrated as plate no. 1574.

5. Scheller, R. W. and Boon, K. G. The Graphic Art of Albrecht Dürer, Hans Dürer and the Dürer School. Amsterdam: Vengendt & Co, 1971.  Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 200.

6. Schoch, R. Albrecht Dürer: Das druckgraphische Werk, Band II Holzschnitte und Holzschnittfolgen. München: Prestel Verlag, 2002. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 178.

7. Strauss, W. L. Albrecht Dürer, Woodcuts and Wood Blocks. New York: Abaris Books, 1980. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 99.

8. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.

ABOUT THE FRAMING:
Albrecht Durer The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (The Life of the Virgin), c. 1505 is framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, presented in a complementary moulding and finished with linen-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.