1472
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Nativity is a 1472 ink by Martin Schongauer, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a stone arch framing a quiet night scene. In the center, a woman in a long robe kneels by a manger, her hands resting on a baby wrapped in cloth. Beside her, a bearded man in a loose tunic holds a lantern, while a donkey and cow stand nearby. Small figures—angels and shepherds—peer from the sides, and a tiny stable glows in the background. The artist used fine lines to create depth, especially in the folds of the robes and the rough stone walls. The lantern’s light cuts through the darkness, making the scene feel warm despite the shadows. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like Schongauer carved intricate details into metal plates.
Martin Schongauer, also known as Martin Schön or Hübsch Martin by his contemporaries, was an Alsatian engraver and painter.
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