1520
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Virgin and Child on the Crescent is a 1520 ink by Sebald Beham, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This is a black-and-white drawing of a woman holding a baby. She’s wearing a hooded cloak that covers her head. The baby is wrapped in cloth, and both look serious. The background is just lines pointing outward like rays. The artist used tiny parallel lines to create shadows and texture. This was a common way to add depth in old prints. Look up engraving to see how artists made prints like this.
Sebald Beham (1500–1550) was a German painter and printmaker, mainly known for his very small engravings.
See the richer artist page
