Joachim Rejected by the High Priest Possibly 1504 - 1511

Albrecht Durer created this image with a metal engraving, a technique demanding meticulous skill. The image, "Joachim Rejected by the High Priest," presents a biblical scene with the stark clarity that only engraving allows. Durer incised lines into a metal plate, likely copper, with a tool called a burin. This painstaking process defined the image; the deeper the cut, the more ink it holds, creating the contrasts we see. Look at how Durer uses hatching and cross-hatching to build up tone, a labor-intensive method that adds depth and volume to the figures and architecture. The controlled nature of engraving lends itself well to the formality of the scene. Consider the social context: Durer, working in the printmaking boom of 16th-century Europe, had to be technically skilled, inventive, and understand his market. Printmaking offered a means of wider distribution, bringing art to a broader audience, but it was also a business, demanding efficiency and a keen understanding of his audience. The material and process are vital to understanding Durer's achievement, proving that craft and fine art can come together in powerful ways.