Artwork
The First of the Foolish Virgins
The First of the Foolish Virgins is a print by the Renaissance artist Martin Schongauer. It dates from 1474 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1926.463
- Credit line
- Dudley P. Allen Fund
About this work
Overview
Schongauer, a pivotal figure in 15th-century German printmaking, utilizes fine, controlled hatching to model the figure's form and the texture of the fabric.
The First of the Foolish Virgins is an engraving created by the German master Martin Schongauer in 1474. Based on the Parable of the Ten Virgins from the Gospel of Matthew, the work depicts the first of the five foolish bridesmaids who failed to bring extra oil for their lamps. The composition focuses on a single female figure standing against a neutral background, holding a lit oil lamp in her right hand while her left hand adjusts the folds of her voluminous robe.
She wears a head covering and a long dress characterized by the artist's signature intricate, rhythmic drapery lines that define the Gothic style. At her feet lies a draped cloth and a small plant, elements that ground the figure within a specific, albeit minimal, setting. Schongauer, a pivotal figure in 15th-century German printmaking, utilizes fine, controlled hatching to model the figure's form and the texture of the fabric.
This print is part of a series illustrating the parable, serving both as a devotional image and a demonstration of technical mastery in intaglio printing. The work exemplifies Schongauer's ability to convey narrative and psychological presence through linear precision, influencing later Northern Renaissance artists including Albrecht Dürer.
Subject & Meaning
The work references the biblical parable of the ten virgins, in which five wise and five foolish brides await a bridegroom. Schongauer’s figure represents one of the foolish virgins, captured at the moment she prepares to depart, her lamp symbolizing the preparedness, or lack thereof, central to the moral of the story.
Technique & Style
Schongauer employs intricate line work and delicate cross‑hatching to model the folds of the woman’s robe, creating a convincing sense of volume. The chiaroscuro achieved through fine shading gives the lamp’s flame a luminous quality, while the overall composition reflects the Northern Renaissance emphasis on detail and texture.
History & Provenance
Created in the late 15th century, the engraving entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings in the 20th century, where it remains on display. Schongauer’s prints were widely circulated during his lifetime, influencing contemporaries and later artists who adopted his meticulous approach to engraving.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Martin Schongauer (c. 1450–1453, Colmar – 2 February 1491, Breisach), also known as Martin Schön ("Martin beautiful") or Hübsch Martin ("pretty Martin") by his contemporaries, was an Alsatian engraver and painter. He…
