“The Fourth Knot”. Interlaced Roundel with a Round Medallion in its Center 1500 - 1521

"The Fourth Knot," an interlaced roundel with a medallion in its center, was created by Albrecht Dürer, a leading artist of the German Renaissance. Dürer lived during a time of significant social and religious upheaval, including the Protestant Reformation, which challenged the authority of the Catholic Church. His work often reflects these tensions, blending religious symbolism with humanist ideals. This particular piece is part of a series of knot designs. In Northern European culture, knots symbolized connections, commitments, and the complexities of life. Dürer’s intricate designs may also mirror the era’s fascination with mathematics and order, reflecting a desire to understand the underlying structures of the world. The inclusion of his monogram at the center asserts the artist’s identity, marking the work as distinctly his own. While seemingly decorative, Dürer’s “Fourth Knot” invites us to consider how identity, faith, and the pursuit of knowledge intertwine.