DÜRER, Albrecht
(b. 1471, Nürnberg, d. 1528, Nürnberg)

Angels' Mass

c. 1500
Drawing
Musée des Beaux-Arts, Rennes

This satirical drawing by Dürer is also called as Recording of the Pious and Sinful Thoughts during the Divine Office. Between the angels who celebrate the liturgical function (above) and those who present the scene to the spectator (below) are grouped, around the edge of the sheet as in a choir, a number of canons whose thoughts and fantasies during the service are illustrated in little clouds like balloons in a cartoon. Tiny angels and devils meanwhile vie with each other in trying to draw the attention of the would-be worshipers. As in contemporary legends, an angel in the centre in front of the altar writes down the thoughts of the canons, which will be later read out during the Last Judgment, and which the Archangel Michael will trow into the balance.