The Virgin Crowned by Jesus Christ
1534
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1534
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This print shows a group of figures in a dramatic scene. At the center, a robed woman kneels while a bearded man places a crown on her head. Around them, angels float or stand, some holding musical instruments. Two older men stand on either side, one pointing upward, the other resting his hand on a lion. Below, two cherubs play with a small box. The background glows with light rays and clouds. Notice how the artist uses shadows and light to make the figures stand out sharply. The crown and halos catch the brightest light, while the drapery and skin tones shift from dark to light. Look up chiaroscuro next to see how this lighting trick works.
