1622
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Virgin Supporting the Dead Christ is a 1622 ink by Schelte Adams Bolswert, a Renaissance work, depicting Lamentation of Christ, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows the Virgin Mary holding the dead body of Christ. Her face is calm but sad. The lines are thin and precise. Engravings like this were made by carving into metal plates. Then ink fills the grooves. Prints could be made quickly and shared widely. This technique is called cross-hatching. It’s a way to shade with crisscrossed lines.
Schelte a Bolswert or Schelte Adamsz. Bolswert (c. 1586 – 1659) was a Frisian engraver who worked most of his career in Antwerp where he was one of the lead engravers in Rubens' workshop. He is known for his…
See the richer artist page
