The Fall and Redemption of Man

Taken from scenes of the life of the Virgin Mary and the Passion of Christ, this series of 40 miniature woodcuts illustrates the story of Christian redemption from Adam and Eve to the Last Judgment. Originally serving as illustrations for a personal devotional book, their intimate size calls for a close study of each image.  Despite the absence of accompanying text, the familiar Bible stories are brought to life by Altdorfer, a renowned painter and printmaker, especially of religious subjects. 

Altdorfer was one of the first European artists to include detailed landscapes, sunsets and clouds that imbued his works with an expressive quality. Here, biblical characters are set within the context of forests, mountains and classical ruins. The extraordinary detail and religious intensity compressed into these miniature prints attest to exceptional skill in creating finely detailed works from carved wooden blocks.