Madonna and Child
1488
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1488
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This print shows a woman holding a small child, both surrounded by a wreath of leaves and flowers. The woman’s face is simple, with soft lines, and the child looks calm. Bright red flowers and green leaves stand out against the dark background. The image is made by carving into wood, then coloring it by hand—notice the rough edges and uneven lines. This style was common in early printed art. Next, look up technique: woodcut to see how artists made prints like this.
