1485
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Death of the Virgin is a 1485 ink by Israhel van Meckenem, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a crowded, dramatic scene with a dying woman in the center. Around her, a group of people—some standing, some kneeling—react with sorrow. One holds a candle, another a staff, and a child reaches toward her. The background has a simple room with a bed and curtains. The artist used fine lines to create deep shadows and texture, making the scene feel intense. This kind of detailed linework is typical of the time. Next, check out engraving to see how artists carved these intricate details.
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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