The Four Horsemen
Artist
Albrecht Dürer
(German, 1471-1528)
CultureGerman
Date1498
MediumWoodcut
DimensionsOverall: 15 3/8 x 10 1/8 in. (39.1 x 25.7 cm)
Overall, Plate: 16 13/16 x 12 in. (42.7 x 30.5 cm)
Overall, Plate: 16 13/16 x 12 in. (42.7 x 30.5 cm)
InscribedDurer monogram left of center above bottom edge. On back, right edge "8509" over "5730".
PortfolioThe Apocalypse
Credit LineBequest of Goldsborough Serpell
Object number46.76.104
Not on view
DescriptionDürer's most famous woodcut. Depicts the passage from the Book of Revelation, 6:1-8, "And I saw, and behold, a white horse, and its rider had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, 'Come!' And out came another horse, bright red; its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that men should slay one another; and he was given a great sword. When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, 'Come!' And I saw, and behold, a black horse, and its rider had a balance in his hand;... When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, 'Come!' And I saw, and behold, a pale horse, and its rider's naem was Death, and Hades followed him; and they were given great power over a fourth of the earth; to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth." The four horses and riders, from left to right, are Death, Famine, War, and Plague (or Pestilence).Published ReferencesVarious authors based on Adam van Bartsch's (1757-1821), _The Illustrated Bartsch_ Joseph Meder, _Dürer-Katalog, Ein Handbuch Über Albrecht Dürers Stiche, Radierungen, Holzschnitte, Deren Zustande, Ausgaben Und Wasserzeichen_ (Vienna: Verlag Gilhofer & Ranschburg, 1932)
