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DESCRIPTION:
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Notes:
1. A fine impression from the Latin text edition of 1511.
2. In this woodcut are portrayed the Four Apocalyptic Riders. The first of these had the power to conquer, the second to take Peace from Mankind, the third to control the scales of Justice and the fourth, backed by Hell, controlled the power of Death. Wolfflin has described this work (H. Wolfflin Die Kunst Albrecht Dürers, 1905 but also found in the Jubiläumsausgabe, Munich, 1963, page 68);
From the Four Riders who have been given the power to destroy a quarter of Mankind through Swords and Hunger and other forms of Death, Dürer has created this famous depiction of Destruction, racing across the world on the wings of the Wind. Until this time, German art had not created a sense of movement and power comparable to that achieved by this image…
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