Currently not on view

The Virgin with a Pear,

1511

Albrecht Dürer, 1471–1528; born and died Nuremberg, Germany
x1960-24
Dürer engraved this sympathetic image following his second trip to Venice, from 1505 to 1507, a sojourn that resulted in a transformation of his art, as he synthesized lessons he had learned from the antique and from the Italian masters he admired. Dürer’s newfound comprehension of both classical form and the naturalistic effects of light and shade is evident in this engraving. The relationship between the Virgin and the pear might symbolize spiritual nourishment, as the full shape of the fruit the Virgin holds in one hand is echoed by the belly of the child she gently touches with the other.

Information

Title
The Virgin with a Pear
Dates

1511

Medium
Engraving
Dimensions
plate (sheet trimmed to plate): 16.2 × 11 cm (6 3/8 × 4 5/16 in.) frame: 46 × 37 × 3 cm (18 1/8 × 14 9/16 × 1 3/16 in.)
Credit Line
Bequest of Julie Parsons Redmond
Object Number
x1960-24
Place Made

Europe, Germany, Nuremburg

Inscription
Date and monogram in plate, uper center and lower left corner: 1511 / AD
Marks/Labels/Seals
Two collector's stamps, verso lower Arthur H. Harlow & Co. label and catalogue text on frame, verso Watermark: [anchor in circle] Note in graphite on mat: [mentions Oppenheim Collection]
Reference Numbers
Bartsch 41; Dodgson 54; Hollstein 33; Meder 33; Schoch 63
Culture
Materials