Apocalypse (Dürer)

The Apocalypse, properly Apocalypse with Pictures (Latin: Apocalypsis cum Figuris) is a famous series of fifteen woodcuts by Albrecht Dürer of scenes from the Book of Revelation, published in 1498, which rapidly brought him fame across Europe. The series was probably cut on pear wood blocks and drew on theological advice, particularly from Johannes Pirckheimer, the father of Dürer's friend Willibald Pirckheimer. Work on the series started during Dürer's first trip to Italy (1494–95), and the set was published simultaneously in Latin and German at Nuremberg in 1498, at a time when much of Europe anticipated a possible Last Judgment at 1500. The most famous print in the series is The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (ca. 1497–98), referring to Revelation 6:1–8. The layout of the cycle with the illustrations on the recto and the text on the verso suggests the privileging of the illustrations over the text. The series brought Dürer fame and wealth as well as some freedom from the patronage system, which, in turn, allowed him to choose his own subjects and to devote more time to engraving. In 1511, Dürer published the second edition of Apocalypse in a combined edition with his Life of the Virgin and Large Passion; single impressions were also produced and sold.

1. The martyrdom of St John

2. St John's vision of the seven candlesticks

3. St John kneeling before Christ and the twenty-four elders

4. The four horsemen of the Apocalypse

5. The opening of the fifth and sixth seals

6. Four angels holding back the winds, and the marking of the elect

7. The hymn in adoration of the lamb

8. The opening of the seventh seal and the eagle crying 'Woe'

9. The four angels of Death

10. St John eating the book

11. The woman of the Apocalypse and the seven-headed dragon

12. St Michael fighting the Dragon

13. The Whore of Babylon

14. The beast with the lamb's horns and the beast with seven heads

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