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Object Timeline
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1944 |
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2007 |
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2014 |
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2015 |
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2024 |
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Print, The First Knot (Interlace Pattern with White Medallion)
This is a Print. It was print maker: Albrecht Dürer. It is dated before 1521 and we acquired it in 1944. Its medium is woodcut on off-white laid paper. It is a part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design department.
This dazzling interlaced knot is one of six produced by Albrecht Dürer, after designs created by Leonardo da Vinci at the end of the 15th century. Their intended purpose is unknown, but they may have served as patterns for embroidery or textiles, or as a demonstration of the artist’s craftsmanship. Dürer studied geometry, a subject on which he would write several books, which could explain his interest for these intricate designs. This particular one includes a blank amazon shield in its center, set out against a black background and held up by the ropes which form the overall pattern. Some art historians believe these knots could be a form of spiritual exploration, representing Dürer’s vision of the Christian cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth.
It is credited Museum purchase through gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
- Print, The Third Knot (Interlace Pattern with White Medallion)
- woodcut on off-white laid paper.
- Museum purchase through gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
- 1944-37-1-b
- Print, Knots
- woodcut on cream laid paper.
- Museum purchase through gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
- 1946-34-1
- Cut Paper, Noah's Ark
- cut black paper.
- This acquisition was made possible through the Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation.
- 1985-22-1
Our curators have highlighted 3 objects that are related to this one.
- Knotted Chair Chair
- H x W x D: 70.8 x 53.3 x 63.5 cm (27 7/8 x 21 x 25 in.).
- Gift of Cappellini.
- 2008-23-1
- Print, Adam and Eve
- engraving on cream laid paper.
- Gift of Mrs. Leo Wallerstein.
- 1961-88-1
- Print, Brodeur, from Diderot's Encyclopaedia
- engraving on white paper.
- Gift of Mrs. George A. Kubler.
- 1949-152-189
Its dimensions are
27.4 x 21.3 cm (10 13/16 x 8 3/8 in.)
Cite this object as
Print, The First Knot (Interlace Pattern with White Medallion); Print Maker: Albrecht Dürer (German, 1471–1528); Germany; woodcut on off-white laid paper; 27.4 x 21.3 cm (10 13/16 x 8 3/8 in.); Museum purchase through gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt; 1944-37-1-a
This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibitions Making Design and IDEO Selects: Works from the Permanent Collection.
