Illustrating the World: Woodcuts in the Age of Dürer

The Great Passion, Albrecht Dürer’s series of 11 woodcuts, is an important project both in the context of the artist’s career and the history of printmaking. It was begun in 1497, immediately prior to the publication of Dürer’s Apocalypse (1498) – with which he became the first artist in history to publish an illustrated book, and Dürer continued to work on this ambitious scheme for the final days of Christ’s life for the next 13 years, drawing on both Italian sources (particularly Raphael) and engravings by Martin Schongauer. This exhibition at the Holburne Museum in Bath (21 January–23 April 2023) offers a rare opportunity to see them all together in the UK; it also considers how the medium of woodcut evolved during the second half of the 15th century.  Find out more on the Holburne’s website.

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The Great Passion: The Flagellation of Christ (c. 1497), Albrecht Dürer

The Great Passion: Agony in the Garden (c. 1497), Albrecht Dürer

The Great Passion: The Last Supper (1510), Albrecht Dürer