Embroidery Pattern with Seven Six-pointed Stars and Four Corner Pieces by Albrecht Dürer

Embroidery Pattern with Seven Six-pointed Stars and Four Corner Pieces

Albrecht Dürer · 1500

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“This woodcut offers a glimpse into Renaissance design, showcasing a meticulous pattern of stars intended for practical use, perhaps as an embroidery guide. It's a surprising example of Dürer's skill beyond his famous narrative prints.”

ABOUT THIS WORK

Here, Albrecht Dürer presents a striking woodcut pattern, a departure from the religious and mythological scenes he often created. This intricate design features seven large six-pointed stars, each nestled within a circular frame, along with four smaller corner pieces. The precision and symmetry are remarkable, especially considering the medium of woodcut, where the artist carves away the negative space, leaving the raised lines to print. This print, made around 1500, reflects a broader Renaissance interest in geometry and decorative arts, often used for embroidery or other textile designs. It’s a testament to the versatility of printmaking in Dürer's time, not just for narrative art but also for practical applications, offering a template for skilled artisans to follow.

DETAILS
Artist
Albrecht Dürer
Date
1500
Medium
Woodcut
Location
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Dimensions
sheet: 12 7/8 x 10 1/8 in. (32.7 x 25.7 cm)
ART MOVEMENTS
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What to Notice

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Embroidery Pattern with Seven Six-pointed Stars and Four Corner Pieces

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01Whole painting

Black disc on white

A huge black circle fills the sheet, and its pale looping lines stand out sharply. The strong contrast makes the pattern glow like white thread on dark cloth.

02

Central dark star

Find the dark round spot at the center, ringed by overlapping arcs. Six more dark spots circle it, which gives the pattern its seven-star structure.

1 of 4 on the painting
03

Tiny knotted rosettes

Between the big dark spots sit small, tightly wound knots that look like miniature stars. They are easy to miss, and they fill the spaces between the larger circles.

2 of 4 on the painting
04

Corner knot pieces

Four black knotwork leaves sit in the corners, joined to the disc by thick stems. They frame the circle and echo its tangled pattern at a smaller size.

3 of 4 on the painting
05

Looping border edge

Around the rim, small loops and trefoil knots repeat like a lace trim. They soften the circle's edge and show how the thread keeps turning back on itself.

4 of 4 on the painting
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THE ARTIST

Albrecht Dürer

1471–1528 · Duchy of Bavaria

Renaissance master who revolutionized printmaking across Europe before turning 30.

Read Dürer’s full story
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