The Coronation of the Virgin, from The Fall and Redemption of Man 1513

Albrecht Altdorfer made this woodcut, "The Coronation of the Virgin," which is from the series “The Fall and Redemption of Man,” at an unknown date. In this small but powerful image, we see Mary, holding the infant Jesus, being crowned by angels. The work reflects the religious fervor of 16th-century Germany, a time of immense social and religious upheaval due to the Reformation. Woodcuts like this one were relatively inexpensive to produce and were widely circulated, serving as tools for both religious instruction and personal devotion. Altdorfer, working in Bavaria, was at the center of the new artistic institutions of the early 16th century. His ability to capture intricate detail within the woodcut medium speaks to the increasing sophistication of printmaking at the time. To understand the full impact of Altdorfer's work, one might consult historical records of printmaking workshops, religious pamphlets, and social histories of the Reformation era. The meaning of a work of art is always shaped by its moment.