Joachim's Offering Refused, from The Fall and Redemption of Man 1513

"Joachim's Offering Refused," a 1513 woodcut by Albrecht Altdorfer, depicts a scene from the Old Testament where the elderly Joachim, the father of the Virgin Mary, is rejected by the high priest when he attempts to offer a sacrifice at the Temple. The work is notable for its detailed rendering of the figures and its use of light and shadow to create a sense of drama. The woodcut is part of a series of 20 prints known as "The Fall and Redemption of Man," which tells the story of humanity from the Garden of Eden to the Last Judgment. This work is a great example of Altdorfer's skill in the use of line and shading in woodcut. The figures are dramatically depicted in the interior of the temple, with a sense of depth and perspective. This print showcases Altdorfer's talent as a master of the woodcut medium.