The Holy Family with Three Hares by Albrecht Dürer

Art work details

Artist:

Albrecht Dürer

Medium :

Woodcut

Materials:

Paper, Ink (printing)

Dimensions :

height: 39 cms; width: 28 cms

Credit Line :

Bequest of Louisa Dudgeon

Tags:

Religion, Woodcut, Durer

This large format woodcut shows the Madonna seated serenely on a turf bench in an open-air setting, the Christ child on her lap and a deferential Joseph behind. Dürer’s approach is to bombard us with a wealth of imagery celebrating the abundance of life, with particular emphasis on the details of plants and the spreading folds of the Virgin’s robes.

A low wall separates the figures from an extensive landscape beyond, with the three hares in the foreground symbolising fertility and the Holy Trinity.

To complete the composition two angels (putti) float above Mary, holding a magnificent Crown of Heaven.