Artwork
Various Men Kneeling on a Bridge in front of a Town
Various Men Kneeling on a Bridge in front of a Town is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Leonhard Beck. It dates from 1515 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Various Men Kneeling on a Bridge in front of a Town is a 1515 woodcut by Leonhard Beck, a designer active in Augsburg, Germany.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a crowded bridge with kneeling men facing a fortified town with tall towers and thick walls, suggesting a scene of collective prayer or supplication.
Technique & Style
Created using the woodcut technique, the print features intricate details and a dense composition, characteristic of Beck's work under the patronage of Emperor Maximilian I.
History & Provenance
Beck, trained in Augsburg and influenced by Hans Holbein the Elder, was part of Maximilian I's artistic team, contributing to the period's woodcut production.
Artist & collection
Artist
Leonhard Beck (c. 1480 – 1542) was a painter and woodcuts designer in Augsburg, Germany. He was the son of Georg Beck, a miniaturist who was active in Augsburg c. 1490–1512/15. Leonhard collaborated with his father on…
