1485
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Christ Blessing the Virgin is a 1485 ink by Martin Schongauer, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This black-and-white print shows three figures in a tight group. On the right, a bearded man with a crown and halo sits on a throne, holding a small round object. He’s blessing someone with his right hand raised. To his left, a woman in a long robe kneels, holding a book. Behind them, three winged angels float above, two holding musical instruments. The artist used fine lines to create deep shadows and textures—notice how the folds in the robes look almost three-dimensional. This was a new way to make engravings look more lifelike. Next, check out the technique: engraving to see how artists like this carved images into metal.
Martin Schongauer, also known as Martin Schön or Hübsch Martin by his contemporaries, was an Alsatian engraver and painter.
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