Artwork
Death of the Virgin
Death of the Virgin is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Martin Schongauer. It dates from 1472 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Martin Schongauer's engraving on laid paper, dated to around 1472, exemplifies his work as a printmaker and painter in 15th-century Alsace.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving depicts the death of the Virgin Mary, a common subject in contemporary art, surrounded by mourners in a crowded, emotionally charged scene.
Technique & Style
Schongauer's use of fine lines and shading creates deep shadows and texture, characteristic of his graphic technique and typical of engraving practices of the time.
History & Provenance
Schongauer, born between 1450 and 1453 in Colmar, was a prominent printmaker north of the Alps, producing 116 prints that preceded Albrecht Dürer's work.
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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…
