The Four Avenging Angels

probably c. 1496/1498

Albrecht Dürer

Associated Names
Albrecht Dürer

Artist, German, 1471 - 1528

This is a drawing of a celestial and earthly battle scene. The artwork depicts angels battling against demons and mythical creatures. In the upper section, there is a heavenly figure seated above an ornate pedestal, surrounded by other celestial beings. The lower section shows dynamic combat, with winged figures wielding swords amidst a tumult of bodies and creatures, some on horseback. The setting is against a backdrop of clouds, adding to the movement and tension. The detail and lines emphasize the epic nature of the scene.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    woodcut on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

  • Dimensions

    sheet (trimmed to block): 39.5 × 28.4 cm (15 9/16 × 11 3/16 in.)
    overall (with added margin): 42.6 × 32.2 cm (16 3/4 × 12 11/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1971.39.6

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Meder, no. 171

  • Series Title

    The Apocalypse

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(P. & D. Colnaghi & Co., Ltd., London); purchased by NGA, 1971.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1932

  • Meder, Joseph. Dürer-Katalog; ein Handbuch über Albrecht Dürers Stiche, Radierungen, Holzschnitte, deren Zustände, Ausgaben und Wasserzeichen. Vienna: Verlag Gilhofer und Ranschburg, 1932. Reprint. New York: Da Capo Press, 1971.

2001

  • Schoch, Rainer, Mattihas Mende, and Anna Scherbaum. Albrecht Dürer: Das druckgraphische Werk. Munich, 2001: vol. 2: no. 119.

Inscriptions

in added paper margin at upper right, in graphite by a later hand: B.69; in added paper margin beginning at bottom left, in graphite by a later hand: B.69 - ed. I.260.1 - M.171-K.113. Latin Text 1498 Ed.; in added paper margin at bottom right, in graphite by a later hand: 60 c.27405; verso, lower right, in graphite by a later hand: 8 [encircled]; bottom center, in graphite by a later hand: B.69 / C.25004 [struckthrough] / C.27405 / Latin Text 1498; on added paper margin at lower right, in graphite: B-25,766

Markings

verso, stamped at lower right: NGA stamp

Wikidata ID

Q18338541

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