Description
Melencolia I by Albrecht Dürer centers on a winged figure seated in thought, her head supported by one hand. Measuring tools and objects surround her: a sphere, a large angular solid, a ladder, scales and an hourglass. A small child works nearby, while a dog lies curled at her feet and a brilliant light breaks across the distant sky.
Made in 1514, this engraving is among Dürer’s most compelling meditations on thought and creative effort. Its tools suggest the possibility of making and measuring, yet the principal figure remains still. The crowded arrangement, enigmatic details and contrast between activity and hesitation invite repeated viewing, allowing the image to retain its mystery without losing its powerful human presence.
Learn about the printing process in our guide to giclée prints. Explore more Albrecht Dürer prints, or view Saint Jerome in His Study.
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