Who painted The Archbishop Blessing the Child after the Baptism?

The Archbishop Blessing the Child after the Baptism was painted by Hans Burgkmair I in 1515.

Where can I see The Archbishop Blessing the Child after the Baptism?

The Archbishop Blessing the Child after the Baptism is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Archbishop Blessing the Child after the Baptism?

The Archbishop Blessing the Child after the Baptism is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of The Archbishop Blessing the Child after the Baptism?

Museum-quality prints of The Archbishop Blessing the Child after the Baptism are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Archbishop Blessing the Child after the Baptism

Hans Burgkmair I , 1515

The Archbishop Blessing the Child after the Baptism is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Hans Burgkmair I. It dates from 1515 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Hans Burgkmair the Elder’s woodcut, dated 1515, portrays a baptismal ceremony in which an archbishop blesses an infant. The central figures are the cleric, dressed in a long robe and a distinctive hat, and the swaddled child held aloft. Surrounding them are several onlookers attired in contemporary Renaissance garments, observing the rite.

Subject & Meaning

The composition emphasizes the sacramental act of baptism, highlighting the hierarchical role of the archbishop as spiritual intermediary. The child’s upward gaze suggests innocence and receptivity, while the surrounding figures convey communal participation and the social importance of the rite within early sixteenth‑century Christian society.

Technique & Style

Executed as a woodcut, the image was carved in relief on a wooden block and printed onto paper, a common reproductive method of the period. Burgkmair’s handling of line and hatching creates a clear tonal contrast, allowing intricate details in clothing and facial expressions despite the medium’s limitations.

History & Provenance

Created in the early years of Burgkmair’s career, the print reflects the artist’s engagement with religious subjects for a broad audience. Woodcuts of this type were often distributed as devotional illustrations or as part of illustrated books, facilitating the spread of visual narratives across German-speaking regions.

Context

The work emerges from the Northern Renaissance, a time when printmaking expanded the reach of visual culture. Burgkmair’s print aligns with contemporary trends that combined detailed observation of contemporary dress with traditional iconography, bridging devotional function and emerging secular interest in realistic representation.