Christ and the Virgin
1519
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
About the artist
Artist
Sebald Beham
Sebald Beham (1500–1550) was a German painter and printmaker, mainly known for his very small engravings.
See the richer artist page1519
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Dominant colour
Christ and the Virgin is a 1519 by Sebald Beham, a Renaissance work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
This black-and-white print shows two figures in a tense moment. One person kneels, hands clasped, wearing a hat and loose clothes. The other stands, half-naked, with a crown of thorns and a sad, downward gaze. Their faces are drawn with sharp lines, and the background fades into a soft glow. The crown of thorns and the kneeling figure’s pleading hands suggest a religious scene. This print was made in 1519 by an artist who often used dramatic contrasts in his work. Look up chiaroscuro to see how this technique creates strong light-and-shadow effects.
Sebald Beham (1500–1550) was a German painter and printmaker, mainly known for his very small engravings.
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