Artwork
Virgin and Child with the Apple (verso)
Virgin and Child with the Apple (verso) is an ink drawing by the Renaissance artist German 15th/16th Century. It dates from 1472 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Virgin and Child with the Apple is a pen and black ink drawing on laid paper, depicting a serene scene of a woman and a child.
About this work
Overview
Virgin and Child with the Apple is a pen and black ink drawing on laid paper, depicting a serene scene of a woman and a child. Characterized by precise dark lines and the absence of color, the work showcases meticulous rendering of textures and volumes.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing portrays a traditional Christian subject: the Virgin holding the Christ Child, who reaches for an apple, a symbol often associated with the Fall of Man and, in this context, potentially foreshadowing the Christ's role in redemption. The Virgin's attire and the child's gesture convey a sense of intimacy and foreboding.
Technique & Style
The artist employed pen and black ink to achieve a high level of detail. Notable is the use of cross-hatching, series of closely spaced parallel lines, to create deep shadows, particularly in the folds of the Virgin's robe, imparting a three-dimensional quality to the drawing.
History & Provenance
Evidence of the drawing's history includes a visible watermark on the paper and a small stamp, resembling an old bookplate, in the corner, suggesting it may have been part of a collection. However, specific details about its creation date, artist, or ownership history are not provided.
Artist & collection
Artist
An anonymous German artist working in the late 1400s and early 1500s, known for finely detailed ink and oil work.
![The Fall of Man [middle panel], by German 15th/16th Century](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/german-15th-16th-century--the-fall-of-man-middle-panel--51048cc74e2325c7-w320.webp)
![The Rule of Bacchus [left panel], by German 15th/16th Century](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/german-15th-16th-century--the-rule-of-bacchus-left-panel--5f2819b3a3b6a2cc-w320.webp)
![The Rule of Mars [right panel], by German 15th/16th Century](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/german-15th-16th-century--the-rule-of-mars-right-panel--afd0659cfadc13d5-w320.webp)
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The Education of the Virgin
The Virgin and Child on a Crescent with a Sceptre and a Starry Crown
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The Virgin and Child on the Crescent- Virgin and Child with the Apple