1495
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Birth of the Virgin is a 1495 ink by Israhel van Meckenem, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a busy indoor scene with women gathered around a bed. One woman sits holding a baby, while others stand nearby—some holding tools, others offering help. A statue of a woman stands on a pedestal in the background, and a man in the corner looks like he’s working at a table. The room is packed with furniture and objects, and the lines are sharp, creating shadows and texture. Notice how the artist uses fine lines to build up dark areas—this is called cross-hatching. The scene feels crowded but organized, with every figure and object carefully placed. Look up cross-hatching to see how artists create depth with just lines.
Israhel van Meckenem (c. 1445 – 10 November 1503), also known as Israhel van Meckenem the Younger, was a German printmaker and goldsmith, perhaps of a Dutch family origin. He was the most prolific engraver of the…
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