The Virgin Appearing to a Lady Penitent
1614
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1614
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
The Virgin Appearing to a Lady Penitent is a 1614 ink by Jaspar Isacsz, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a woman in a dark, ruffled dress kneeling in prayer, her hands clasped. Behind her, a window with a cross shape lets in light, while above, a ghostly figure of a woman with a halo holds a child. The scene feels like a dream—clouds swirl around the heavenly woman, and a book lies open on a stand beside the kneeling woman. The text below is in French, asking how a painter could dare show something so bold. It’s like the artist is teasing the viewer with a secret. Look up engraving to see how artists like this one carved detailed scenes into metal.
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