Melencolia by Albrecht Dürer

Melencolia
Source: MET Museum

German artist Albrecht Dürer was probably one of the most influential artists of the early modern age. Dürer was one of the first artists to take advantage of the printing press as a way to promote his work and himself as an artist. He did this in part by developing a unique signature, which survived as a kind of copyright mark, and he became one of the first artists to consistently sign his work. This branding allowed for widespread demand for his work, especially his prints. Dürer created a wide portfolio of prints (which mostly depicted religious scenes) that became household images that are now permanently ingrained in the collective psyche.

One of Dürer’s most famous prints is entitled Melencolia, and I guarantee you’ve seen it before. It is one of the best-known pieces of art from the sixteenth century and is widely reproduced in textbooks and as wall art.

Although the print is widely known, the meaning of the piece is hotly contested, and there are dueling interpretations of the precise significance of every object in Melencolia. As the title suggests, there is general agreement that Melencolia represents a state of mind. The title refers to the melancholic personality type, one of the four temperaments described by ancient Greek physician Hippocrates. This personality type was associated with anxiety, introversion, and creative genius, as well as insanity. Most art historians agree that Melencolia represents Dürer’s own personality and interpret the piece as a sort of emotional self-portrait as well as a more general representation of the personality type.

According to my research, the winged, female figure represents Melancholy. She sits brooding over a wide variety of items associated with the liberal arts. Although Melancholy is surrounded by these tools, she is paralyzed by the melancholic mood.

Although the piece represents something very specific, the beauty of Melencolia is that it has near universal appeal. Most good art allows the viewer space for their own interpretation, and Melencolia is no different. Dürer allows each viewer to project their own personality and feelings onto the piece, which means that this piece is still relevant nearly five hundred years after it was created.

Disclaimer: I’m not an art historian or an expert on this topic. The above is my opinion, based on my interpretation of my foreknowledge of art and history. If I’ve done any additional research, I’ll note it above.