Artwork
Virgin and Child with the Apple (verso)
Virgin and Child with the Apple (verso) is an ink drawing by the Renaissance artist German 15th/16th Century. It dates from 1472 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Virgin and Child with the Apple is a pen and black ink drawing on laid paper, depicting a serene scene of a woman and a child.
About this work
Overview
Virgin and Child with the Apple is a pen and black ink drawing on laid paper, depicting a serene scene of a woman and a child. Characterized by precise dark lines and the absence of color, the work showcases meticulous rendering of textures and volumes.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing portrays a traditional Christian subject: the Virgin holding the Christ Child, who reaches for an apple—a symbol often associated with the Fall of Man and, in this context, potentially foreshadowing the Christ's role in redemption. The Virgin's attire and the child's gesture convey a sense of intimacy and foreboding.
Technique & Style
The artist employed pen and black ink to achieve a high level of detail. Notable is the use of cross-hatching—series of closely spaced parallel lines—to create deep shadows, particularly in the folds of the Virgin's robe, imparting a three-dimensional quality to the drawing.
History & Provenance
Evidence of the drawing's history includes a visible watermark on the paper and a small stamp, resembling an old bookplate, in the corner, suggesting it may have been part of a collection. However, specific details about its creation date, artist, or ownership history are not provided.
Artist & collection
Artist
This German artist worked in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, best known for finely detailed ink and oil paintings.
![The Fall of Man [middle panel], by German 15th/16th Century](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/german-15th-16th-century--the-fall-of-man-middle-panel--51048cc74e2325c7-w320.webp)
![The Rule of Bacchus [left panel], by German 15th/16th Century](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/german-15th-16th-century--the-rule-of-bacchus-left-panel--5f2819b3a3b6a2cc-w320.webp)
![The Rule of Mars [right panel], by German 15th/16th Century](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/german-15th-16th-century--the-rule-of-mars-right-panel--afd0659cfadc13d5-w320.webp)
The Small Madonna and Child
Woman and Child with Distaff
The Virgin with Hairband on a Crescent Moon
The Virgin on the Crescent
The Virgin and Child on a Crescent with a Diadem
The Virgin and Child on a Crescent with a Starry Crown
The Virgin and Child on the Crescent
The Education of the Virgin
The Virgin and Child on a Crescent with a Sceptre and a Starry Crown
Madonna on the Crescent
The Virgin and Child on the Crescent
Virgin and Child with the Apple