1485
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Mass of Saint Gregory is a 1485 ink by German 15th Century, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image shows a skeleton lying on a bed with a priest and two other figures around it. The priest holds a golden cross, while the others look on. The room has a simple bed, a small table with a cup, and a window with patterned curtains. The skeleton is dressed in a blue robe, which stands out against the faded colors. This scene is part of a religious woodcut, likely meant to remind viewers of life’s fleeting nature. Look up woodcut to see how this print was made.
This 15th-century German artist carved vivid religious scenes into metal and wood, then hand-painted them in bright, symbolic colors.
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![The Mass of Saint Gregory [recto]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/366c997f6d630640/thumb.webp)
![Studies for Six Figures (sheet from a model book) [recto]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/4837429e0755bc3f/thumb.webp)
