Life of the Virgin: High Priest Rejecting the Offering of Joachim
1493
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1493
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Life of the Virgin: High Priest Rejecting the Offering of Joachim is a 1493 by Israhel van Meckenem, a Renaissance work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
This engraving shows a group of men in robes and hats gathered around a table. One man in the center holds out a small box, while another in a tall hat leans in to refuse it. In the background, a soldier and a priest watch from a doorway, and two dogs lie on the floor. The scene looks like it’s inside a church or temple, with a stone altar and a small window behind the men. The man in the center looks sad, and the rejected offering might be a clue about this story. The artist used sharp lines and deep shadows to make the figures stand out. Next, look up Israhel van Meckenem to see more of his detailed engravings.
