Description:This charming piece by Albrecht Dürer (1471 – 1528) allows us to catch a glimpse of Christ at 12 years old; his whimsical, childlike and human qualities apparent in his fervor at lecturing to an audience of aged doctors and scholars. The scene depicted in this piece is inspired by the Christian gospel; Mary and Joseph are in search of their son, Christ, as he has fled to the refuge of the Temple. They finally find him after hours of searching, only to see him assuming his post at the lectern before a captivated and astonished crowd.
Created in c. 1503, this stunning woodcut features Albrecht Dürer’s (1471 – 1528) signature monogram on a slate in the lower right of the image (a further example of Dürer’s success with the effects of foreshortening) . This work has also been dated to c. 1598 by the rare watermark within the fine, laid paper on which this woodcut has been printed. The Crest of Wuerttemburg watermark can be found in Meder 188.
According to W. Strauss (1980) , “The surprisingly large onlookers are placed in the foreground, whereas the action occurs in the rear of the chamber. The Virgin is shown as she enters from the left. Thus the uninitiated eye is almost drawn to her – the subject of the series – last. The architectural setting is strange and fanciful, and a flamboyant Gothic throne is placed in a more or less Romanesque interior, overhung by two garlands of the purest North Italian Renaissance style. It seems as if Dürer attempted to create the impression of a crowd with only a very few men, all of them attentively listening to the twelve-year old Jesus explaining the law.” (p. 268)
Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
It is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the final sale of the work) :
1. Kurth, W. Dr. (1946) . The Complete Woodcuts of Albrecht Dürer. Listed as catalogue raisonné no. 189 and detailed on pg. 26.
2. Meder, J. (1932) . Dürer-Katalog. Listed as catalogue raisonné no. 203 on pg. 177.
3. Pawlak, M. Albrecht Dürer: 1471 bis 1528, Das gesamte Graphische Werk, Druckgraphik, Band II. Listed and illustrated as plate no. 1580.
4. Scheller, R. W. and Boon, K. G. (1971) . The Graphic Art of Albrecht Dürer, Hans Dürer and the Dürer School. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 203 on page 161.
5. Schoch, R. (2002) . Albrecht Dürer: Das druckgraphische Werk, Band II Holzschnitte und Holzschnittfolgen. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 173 on pg. 243.
6. Strauss, W. L. (1980) . Albrecht Dürer, Woodcuts and Wood Blocks. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 77 on pgs. 268-9.
About the Framing:
This work has received full archival treatment in its framing to insure the quality and longevity of the piece. It is encased in a Spanish-style black and gold frame with gilded detail inspired by floral motifs. Set in a closed-corner frame with matching gold inner fillet with white, linen-wrapped mats behind a Plexiglas® cover. Also features custom-made artist’s plaque below the inner fillet, mounted on the mat: ‘Albrecht Dürer | 1471 – 1528.’
