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CINCINNATI—Explore a 500-year-old revolution in printmaking technology at the Cincinnati Art Museum’s free special exhibition Albrecht Dürer: The Age of Reformation and Renaissance, on view November 17, 2017–February 11, 2018.

The Cincinnati Art Museum is one of several Cincinnati area arts organizations who will commemorate 500 years since Martin Luther issued his 95 theses in 1517, triggering enormous theological, political and cultural changes throughout Europe.

The Age of Reformation and Renaissance follows the development of Dürer’s artistic brilliance from his apprenticeship through the eve of the Reformation. Through Dürer’s works, visitors will experience the artistic, cultural and political changes that lead up to Luther’s defiant act.

Dürer’s political and social influence are evident in the prints in the exhibition, including popular artworks The Four Horsemen from The Apocalypse and Knight, Death and the Devil.

The exhibition features an extensive display of works from Cincinnati Art Museum’s permanent collection, plus works on loan from other museums and collectors, totaling more than 140 pieces by Dürer and his contemporaries.

Kristin Spangenberg, Cincinnati Art Museum Curator of Prints, has organized the exhibition. “The Cincinnati Art Museum joins the local community in commemorating Dürer’s life and legacy through this exhibition,” says Spangenberg. “The highlight of The Age of Reformation and Renaissance is Dürer’s complete series of religious prints. His innovative use of printmaking puts his works on par with artists of the Italian Renaissance, and had led to his international and lasting reputation.”

This exhibition will be on view in the Schiff Galleries (234 and 235). Free admission. Photography is permitted on most of the artworks. On social media use #CAMDurer.

The museum is partnering with University of Cincinnati for the free symposium: The Reformation in Cultural Perspective on November 17, 2017, 9:30 a.m.–6 p.m. in the museum’s Fath Auditorium. This day-long symposium explores multiple perspectives on the time in which Dürer lived through panel discussions, lectures and musical performances.

A new exhibit on display at the University of Cincinnati’s Walter C. Langsam Library highlights the complex and multifaceted legacy of the Reformation. Other organizations recognizing the 500^th anniversary include the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the Catacoustic Consort, and the German Heritage Museum. Find out more

Image credit: Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528), Germany, The Four Horsemen for The Apocalypse, circa 1497–98, woodcut (proof before text), Bequest of Herbert Greer French, 1943.212

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About the Cincinnati Art Museum

The Cincinnati Art Museum is supported by the generosity of individuals and businesses that give annually to ArtsWave. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Cincinnati Art Museum with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Cincinnati Art Museum gratefully acknowledges operating support from the City of Cincinnati, as well as our members.

General admission to the Cincinnati Art Museum is always free. The museum is open Tuesday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. with extended Thursday hours until 8 p.m. cincinnatiartmuseum.org