Artwork
The Mask
The Mask is a print by the Renaissance artist Sebald Beham. It dates from 1543 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1947.479
- Credit line
- Gift of Leonard C. Hanna Jr.
About this work
Overview
The Mask is a 1543 print by Hans Sebald Beham, a prolific German printmaker known for his intricate works.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a bearded face with a leafy crown, its open mouth and forward stare conveying a sense of intensity. The surrounding swirling patterns serve as a decorative frame, blurring the line between natural and artificial elements.
Technique & Style
Beham employed sharp lines and deep shadows to create a striking contrast, drawing attention to the face. The crown's mixed organic and constructed appearance adds to the image's complexity.
History & Provenance
The Mask is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection. Beham, associated with the 'Little Masters,' produced numerous engravings, etchings, and woodcuts during his career, working in Nuremberg and Frankfurt.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Sebald Beham (1500–1550) was a German painter and printmaker, mainly known for his very small engravings.
