A Monstrance
1485
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1485
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
A Monstrance is a 1485 by Daniel Hopfer, a Renaissance work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This print shows a detailed design for a monstrance. The monstrance is a fancy holder for the Sacred Host. It looks like a golden tower with a clear glass section to show the Host. This was an engraving, not a finished object. Engravings let artists share designs widely before printing replaced handwork. Hopfer made many such prints. Compare this to Albrecht Dürer’s prints—he’s the artist who made engravings famous. Look up Hopfer, Daniel next.
