Vier Engel, die Winde aufhaltend _ Die Versiegelung der Auserwählten, aus der Folge der Apokalypse, Latein-Ausgabe 1511 c. 1497 - 1498

Albrecht Dürer created this woodcut, *Four Angels Holding Back the Winds*, in 1511, as part of his Apocalypse series. The image teems with symbolism drawn from the Book of Revelation, depicting angels halting destructive winds while the chosen are marked for salvation. Note how the angels, with their strong, protective stances, wield both swords and divine authority. The act of sealing the chosen ones recalls ancient protective rites, echoing in motifs found across cultures, from Egyptian scarab seals to medieval talismans. This gesture isn't merely a symbolic act; it taps into a deep-seated human desire for protection against chaos. Consider the emotional power of this image during Dürer's time, marked by religious and social upheaval. The reassurance of divine intervention would have resonated deeply. The cyclical nature of apocalyptic themes suggests a recurring human preoccupation with endings and beginnings. The image serves as a reminder of the enduring power of symbols to reflect and shape our deepest anxieties and hopes.