The Visitation Possibly 1503 - 1511

Albrecht Durer created this woodcut, "The Visitation," to illustrate the meeting between Mary and Elizabeth. The composition is divided into contrasting spaces: the structured architecture on the left and the organic landscape on the right. Durer masterfully uses line to define form and texture. Note the intricate cross-hatching that gives depth to the figures' robes and the meticulous detail in the foliage. This technique not only adds visual interest but also enhances the print's narrative clarity, allowing the viewer to distinguish between foreground and background elements. The artist disrupts the established meanings of space, using scale and perspective to emphasize the spiritual significance of the encounter. The print exemplifies how Durer used formal elements to create complex meanings, challenging fixed notions of representation and inviting ongoing interpretation.