A Bust Figure of a Foolish Virgin Holding Her Inverted Lamp
1507
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1507
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This black-and-white engraving shows a woman holding a lamp upside-down. Her hair is swept up, and she wears a loose, draped dress. The lines are sharp, with heavy shading to show her face, hands, and fabric folds. The lamp she holds is a clue—it’s a symbol for wasted light or foolishness. This kind of engraving was a way to spread ideas and stories in the 1500s. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this carved detailed images into metal plates.
![The Madonna with Saint Ulrich and Saint Afra [recto]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/563a13dc2b4b63a3/thumb.webp)
![Title Page for a Missal, with Satyr and Putti Border [verso]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/df26a3e076a25bf5/thumb.webp)