Allegorie op het bestuur van de stad Neurenberg 1521

Albrecht Dürer created this hand-colored woodcut, "Allegory on the Government of the City of Nuremberg," to celebrate his home. Dürer, a towering figure of the Northern Renaissance, lived during a time of immense social and religious upheaval. His personal experiences and beliefs were deeply entwined with the cultural shifts of the Reformation. Here, the composition presents a symbolic representation of Nuremberg's government, employing a visual language that speaks to the city's values and aspirations. The figures of Justice and Charity float above the Coat of Arms, flanked by two angels. Dürer develops a narrative which reflects societal issues in Nuremberg at the time, where the artist infuses an emotional and personal dimension, illustrating what he believes is needed to rule a city: Justice, Love, and Piety. This piece invites us to reflect on the relationship between power, morality, and civic identity during the Renaissance.