Artwork
Pietà (The Sorrowing Virgin with the Dead Christ in Her Lap)
Pietà (The Sorrowing Virgin with the Dead Christ in Her Lap) is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Hendrick Goltzius. It dates from 1596 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Hendrick Goltzius's 1596 engraving, Pietà, is a notable example of Northern Mannerism, a style characteristic of the early Baroque period in the Netherlands.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving depicts a poignant scene: the Virgin Mary mourning over the dead Christ, whom she cradles in her lap, conveying a powerful moment of sorrow and bereavement.
Technique & Style
Goltzius's technical skill is evident in the detailed, realistic rendering of the scene, achieved through the precise use of lines and shading, hallmarks of the engraving technique.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Hendrick Goltzius (German: , Dutch: ; né Goltz; January or February 1558 – 1 January 1617) was a German-born Dutch printmaker, draftsman, and painter.
