“The Death of Mary” is a woodcut created by Albrecht Dürer in 1510, exemplifying the Northern Renaissance art movement. It is a religious painting belonging to the “Life of the Virgin” series, currently housed at the Kupferstichkabinett Berlin in Berlin, Germany.
The artwork depicts the moment of the Virgin Mary’s death, surrounded by the Apostles. The scene is set within a domestic interior, suggesting a communal and intimate atmosphere. On the bed, Mary lies peacefully as if asleep rather than deceased, with several figures gathered closely around her, showing a mixture of sorrow and reverence. The detail in the drapery and the characters’ expressions is acute, demonstrating Dürer’s skill in woodcut techniques. Above Mary, the soul, often represented as an infant, is being taken up to heaven by angels, embodying the transference from the earthly realm to the divine. The room is detailed with gothic architectural elements, textiles, and objects that signify the sacred context of the event. An ornate crucifix stands prominently to the left, reinforcing the theological significance of the moment. The scene carefully balances the depiction of a tender human event with spiritual overtones, masterfully capturing the simultaneous presence of grief and holy triumph.
