Artwork
A Cleric Kneeling before the Virgin and the Christ Child
A Cleric Kneeling before the Virgin and the Christ Child is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Albrecht Altdorfer. It dates from 1519 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
A Cleric Kneeling before the Virgin and the Christ Child is a woodcut on laid paper created by Albrecht Altdorfer around 1519. It is a representative work of the Danube School, a group known for integrating biblical scenes into expressive landscapes.
Subject & Meaning
The woodcut shows a kneeling cleric on the right, with the Virgin and Christ Child on the left. The cleric's bowed head conveys devotion, while the Virgin and Child embody serenity. The scene is set against a backdrop of an arched doorway leading to a landscape.
Technique & Style
Altdorfer's use of lines and shading creates depth and texture, contributing to the overall mood. The work reflects his expertise in engraving and his focus on landscape, characteristic of the Danube School style.
History & Provenance
Altdorfer was a German Renaissance painter and engraver active in Regensburg, associated with the Nuremberg Little Masters. This woodcut is an example of his work from around 1519.
Artist & collection
Artist
Albrecht Altdorfer (c. 1480 – 12 February 1538) was a German painter, engraver and architect of the Renaissance working in Regensburg. Along with Lucas Cranach the Elder and Wolf Huber he is regarded to be the main…
