1490
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Lovers is a 1490 ink by Israhel van Meckenem, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows two people sitting side by side on a bench. The person on the left wears a hat with a long feather and a loose tunic, while the person on the right holds a baby wrapped in cloth. Around them, a small table holds a covered pot, and a potted plant sits nearby. Above, a decorative branch frames the scene. The lines here are sharp and detailed, made by carving into metal—a method called *engraving*. This style was common in the Renaissance, when artists focused on realistic details and balanced compositions. Look up engraving to see how artists like this made prints by scratching into metal plates.
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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