Artwork
Madonna and Child on the Grassy Bank
Madonna and Child on the Grassy Bank is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Hans Baldung Grien. It dates from 1505 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1505, this woodcut presents the Virgin Mary and the infant Jesus seated on a gently sloping, grassy landscape.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1505, this woodcut presents the Virgin Mary and the infant Jesus seated on a gently sloping, grassy landscape. The figures are crowned and surrounded by halos, emphasizing their sacred status, while a modest town with a church is rendered in the distant background.
Subject & Meaning
The composition focuses on the intimate interaction between mother and child, a common devotional motif that invites contemplation of the divine relationship. The inclusion of a small settlement suggests the earthly realm under the protection of the holy figures.
Technique & Style
Executed with fine cross‑hatching and shading, the print achieves a sense of volume and depth, particularly in the drapery and facial features. The background is rendered with looser lines, contrasting the detailed foreground and reflecting the artist’s skill in balancing precision with broader compositional elements.
History & Provenance
The work originates from the German Renaissance, a period marked by the influence of Albrecht Dürer, under whom the creator trained. It demonstrates the artist’s early engagement with printmaking before his later involvement in more mannered, expressive styles.
Context
During the early sixteenth century, religious woodcuts served both as objects of personal devotion and as means of disseminating biblical narratives. This piece aligns with that tradition, offering a portable, reproducible image of the Madonna and Child for a lay audience.
Artist & collection
Artist
Hans Baldung (1484 or 1485 – September 1545), called Hans Baldung Grien, (being an early nickname, because of his predilection for the colour green), was a painter, printer, engraver, draftsman, and stained glass…
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