“The Meeting of Joachim and Anne at the Golden Gate” is a religious painting created by Albrecht Dürer in 1504 as part of his “Life of the Virgin” series during the Northern Renaissance period. The artwork is located at the Albertina in Vienna, Austria.
The artwork is a detailed engraving that depicts the moment Joachim and Anne, the Virgin Mary’s parents, meet at the Golden Gate of Jerusalem after being separately informed by angels of Anne’s conception. The couple is shown embracing passionately in the foreground, symbolizing the impending birth of the Virgin Mary. The figures are dressed in elaborate garments which, along with their detailed faces, are indicative of Dürer’s attention to fine details and texture.
Surrounding the central couple, there is a group of spectators, some appearing joyous and others more subdued, perhaps symbolizing various responses to the miraculous event. Above them, the gates of a city loom while a landscape with trees and a distant castle can be seen through the archway, adding depth to the composition.
The artwork features a highly ornamental arch that frames the scene, rich with intricate patterns reflective of the Northern Renaissance style. Dürer’s monogram (AD) and the year of creation (1504) are inscribed on the artwork, showcasing his practice of signing his works.
Overall, the engraving is a masterful demonstration of Dürer’s skill in capturing human emotion and his ability to combine it with intricate physical details and symbolic architecture to create a narrative piece with religious significance.
