Madonna on a Grassy Bench

Date1503

Maker Albrecht Dürer German, Nuremberg 1471-1528

Label TextHere Dürer shows a private human moment enjoyed by the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child, seated on the ground within a simple fence. Even this understated image is rich with Christian meaning: Mary is depicted as the Madonna of Humility within the Hortus Conclusus, an enclosed garden that itself was a symbol of her virginity. As in many of his prints, Dürer denotes the sky simply by leaving the area blank.

Object number53.176

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, "Durer, Rembrandt, and Goya: Old Masters Prints from the Seattle Art Museum Collection", May 31, 2001 - January 1, 2002 (5/31/2001 - 1/1/2002) Seattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, "The Old Masters: 1475-1875", December 9, 1976 - January 16, 1977. (12/09/1976 - 01/16/1977) Seattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, "Old Master Prints from the Wallerstein Collection", October 18 - December 30, 1984. Circuit: Brown University, Bell Gallery, Providence, Rhode Island, 1/16/85-2/13/85; Cooper-Hewitt Museum, New York, New York, 3/5/85-5/26/85. (10/18/1984 - 05/26/1985)

Credit LineGift of Dr. Leo Wallerstein

Dimensions4 3/16 x 3 1/16 in. (10.6 x 7.7 cm)

MediumEngraving