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Spaightwood Galleries
Albrecht Durer (Nuremburg, 1471-1528): The Life of the Virgin
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Durer began the Life of the Virgin c. 1501-02 and completed it in 1511, incorporating into it works probably done before Durer decided upon a series of woodcuts, but with an overall plan in mind early own. Strauss suggests that although several of the sheets were done with Schongauer engravings in front of him, Durer never simply imitated but changed and invented anew as he worked. The first complete edition (with a Latin text by Benedictus Chelidonius printed on the verso of the prints) was published in 1511.
Walter L. Strauss in his catalogue raisonne, Albrecht Durer Woodcuts and Woodblocks (Abaris Books, 1980), provides a summary of comments upon each individual work. Strauss's Commentary volume in the Illustrated Bartsch series updates his commentary here. As always, Panofsky's Life and Art of Albrecht Durer (Princeton University Press, 1945, revised editions culminating in the 1971 edition) is crucial for an understanding of the work of this great artist and printmaker.
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Joachim's offering rejected (Bartsch 77, Strauss 94, Meder 19c-d). Original woodcut, 1504. Executed for The Life of the Virgin, this impression from c. 1580 is printed on paper with the fishbladder watermark. Margins trimmed to or within the image. One of Durer's masterpieces, the print illustrates the high priest rejecting Joachim's offering of a sheep because he and his wie Anna, who are to become the parents of the Virgin Mary, are barren, a sign tha they must have been rejected b y God. The woodcut chooses a very ironic moment in which the wisdom of man is shortly to become shown to be false. Image size: 294x213mm. Price: $6000.
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Joachim and Anna at the Golden Gate (Bartsch 79, Strauss 96, Meder 191). Original woodcut, 1509. Executed for "The Life of the Virgin," this impression from the first Latin edition of 1511 is a very good dark and evenly-printed impression witht the shovel with a flower watermark (Meder 127). Margins trimmed on the border line. Strauss calls this print a masterpiece, the high point of The Life of the Virgin Series. With the Latin text. This print is illustrated in almost every book on Durer's work as a printmaker. Image size: 297x204mm. Price: $15, 000.
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Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple (Bartsch 81, Strauss 79, Meder M. 193g). Original woodcut, c. 1503-1504. Executed for The Life of the Virgin, this impression from c. 1596 is printed on paper with the Double Eagle with flower watermark. Margins trimmed to or within the image. Ours is an impression from what was evidently an edition of the "Life of the Virgin" c. 1596-1600 printed from Durer's woodblocks. This print is illustrated in almost every book on Durer's work as a printmaker. Image size: 299x210mm. Price: $5000.
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The Flight into Egypt (Bartsch 89, Strauss 92, Meder M. 201). Original woodcut, c. 1503-1504. Executed for The Life of the Virgin, A good, dark, and evenly-printed impression from the 1511 Latin text edition with strong contrasts and little or no signs of wear. Strauss comments that "the most remarkable aspect of this print is its setting. . . . Durer has here achieved unprecedented 3-dimensionality." This print is illustrated in almost every book on Durer's work as a printmaker. Image size: 300x211mm. Price: $15,000.
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Christ among the Doctors (Bartsch 91, Strauss 38, Meder 203). Original woodcut, c. 1503. Executed for The Life of the Virgin, this impression is from the first edition with the poem printed verso. Watermark: Crown over gate or tower. Repaired tears center and right margins, trimmed at bottom (see below for complete image). This print is illustrated in almost every book on Durer's work as a printmaker. One of Durer's masterpieces. Image size: 293x207mm. Price: SOLD.
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Christ teaching the doctors in the Temple (Bartsch 91, Strauss 38, Meder 203). Original woodcut, c. 1503. Executed for The Life of the Virgin, this impression from c. 1580 is printed on paper with the fishbladder watermark. Repaired diagonal tear lower left corner. Margins trimmed to or within the image. One of Durer's masterpieces. Image size: 298x210mm. Price: $6000.
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Spaightwood Galleries, Inc.
To purchase, call us at 1-800-809-3343 (508-529-2511 in Upton MA & vicinity) or send an email to sptwd@verizon.net. We accept AmericanExpress, DiscoverCard, MasterCard, and Visa.
For directions and visiting information, please call. We are, of course, always available over the web and by telephone (see above for contact information). Click the following for links to past shows and artists. For a visual tour of the gallery, please click here. For information about Andy Weiner and Sonja Hansard-Weiner, please click here. For a list of special offers currently available, see Specials.
Visiting hours: Saturday and Sunday noon to 6 pm and other times by arrangement. Please call to confirm your visit. Browsers and guests are welcome.
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