Artwork
The Virgin and Child with Saint Conrad and Saint Pelagius
The Virgin and Child with Saint Conrad and Saint Pelagius is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Jörg Breu the Elder. It dates from 1504 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Virgin and Child with Saint Conrad and Saint Pelagius is a hand-colored woodcut print created by Jörg Breu the Elder in 1504. The work features four central figures within a framed composition, set against a detailed background.
Subject & Meaning
At the center, the Virgin holds the Christ Child, both adorned with golden halos. They are flanked by two saints: Saint Conrad, depicted as a bishop with a book and staff, and Saint Pelagius, shown as a soldier in armor with a spear. A shield bearing a red cross pattern is also present.
Technique & Style
The print exemplifies a simple yet detailed style, characteristic of woodcut technique. It features flat colors and sharp lines, with meticulous attention to the subjects' attire and the naturalistic background of trees.
History & Provenance
Created in 1504 by Jörg Breu the Elder, a painter of the German Danube school, the work reflects his activity in Augsburg, where he had recently been recognized as a master (since 1502).
Artist & collection
Artist
Jörg Breu the Elder (c. 1475–1537), of Augsburg, was a painter of the German Danube school. He was the son of a weaver. He journeyed to Austria and created several multi-panel altarpieces there in 1500–02, such as the…
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Presentation
Madonna and Child
The Beautiful Virgin of Regensburg