The Ravisher (B. 92; Meder, Holl. 76; Schoch, Mende, Scherbaum 1)

Formally, Albrecht Dürer's Ravisher is a variation of Schongauer's motif of figures seated in a landscape on a grassy bench (see lot 100). Yet Dürer turned it into something altogether different and sinister: a young lady has a rendez-vous with Death. She tries to break away, but we know she won't escape. The irregular, nervous lines cut into the metal printing plate are perfectly suited to the violent subject of this very rare, early print by the artist. In fact, it is the first know engraving by Dürer, created when he was only 23 or 24 years old, and the only one which does not yet bear his famous monogram AD.