Albrecht Altdorfer (1482-1538) Lot n° 23

Albrecht Altdorfer -The Ascension of Christ - 1513 / Description: Early proof . Christ's Ascension; only Christ's feet visible, rest of his body enveloped in a cloud, footprints on Mount of Olives, 11 apostles and Virgin Mary gazing up. A woodcut by Altdorfer signed at lower right with his monogram. From his famous series The Fall and Redemption of Man as he titled it himself. The Salvation of Mankind Through the Life and Passion of Christ. The woodcuts from this series measures only about 7,20 cm in height but their composition is monumental with figure groups in expansive interiors and landscape settings. Altdorfer drew the compositions aside of each other to a woodblock to help ensure evenness of printing across the set. The compositions were copied in altarpieces and miniature paintings by other artists. They were never copied as woodcuts, a testament to the technical accomplishment required to make small woodcuts of such as high pictorial standard. / Dimensions: 7,20 x 4,80 cm / Condition: 'Probedruck vor allem Auflagen.' Superb early proof impression in an outstanding printing quality. With full borderline and good margins on fine laid paper. In perfect condition. / Literature: New Hollstein (German) / The New Hollstein: German engravings, etchings and woodcuts 1400-1700 (w.37) --- Bartsch / Le Peintre graveur (VIII.75.37) --- Dodgson 1903, 1911 / Catalogue of Early German and Flemish Woodcuts in the BM, 2 vols (II.225.37) / Medium: Woodcut /Circa: 1513 650