Artwork
The Virgin Seeking Jesus in the Temple
The Virgin Seeking Jesus in the Temple is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Albrecht Altdorfer. It dates from 1520 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Albrecht Altdorfer, a German Renaissance artist active in Regensburg, produced the engraving *The Virgin Seeking Jesus in the Temple* circa 1520. Executed on laid paper, the work measures modestly and belongs to the print medium, reflecting Altdorfer’s skill as both painter and engraver.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a kneeling woman in a stone‑floored interior, reaching toward a column with an expression of concern. Behind her, two figures stand near a window—one cradles an infant, the other leans on a ledge—suggesting a narrative linked to the biblical episode of Mary’s search for the child Jesus in the temple.
Technique & Style
Rendered through fine incised lines, the engraving achieves delicate shading and texture, evident in the folds of the woman's dress and the brickwork of the walls. The intricate, miniature detail aligns Altdorfer with the Nuremberg Little Masters, a circle noted for their compact, highly finished prints.
History & Provenance
Created during Altdorfer’s mature period, the print reflects his engagement with religious subjects alongside his reputation for pioneering landscape as an autonomous theme. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work has been documented in collections of early 16th‑century German prints.
Context
Altdorfer was a leading figure of the Danube School, a group that integrated expressive, often colorful landscapes into narrative scenes. Although this engraving focuses on an interior setting, its attention to atmospheric detail and spatial depth echoes the broader aesthetic concerns of the school.
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…
