The Virgin Annunciate
1495-1499
Albrecht Dürer captures a moment of pure surprise in this delicate sketch of the Virgin Mary. Caught mid-reaction to the Angel Gabriel's announcement, she clutches her chest with a look of startled realization, her long, curly hair cascading down her shoulders. The intricate folds of her heavy gown show off Dürer's incredible skill with line work, proving that even a quick study could be a masterpiece. You can spot his famous "AD" monogram at the bottom, a signature he used to protect his work from copycats in the bustling art market of Renaissance Nuremberg.
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