Artwork

Christ and Mary Interceding with God the Father

Christ and Mary Interceding with God the Father, by German 15th Century, chalk, 1485
Christ and Mary Interceding with God the Father, by German 15th Century, chalk, 1485

Christ and Mary Interceding with God the Father is a chalk drawing by the Renaissance artist German 15th Century. It dates from 1485 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Christ and Mary Interceding with God the Father is a drawing executed in pen and brown ink over black chalk on laid paper, depicting a crowded scene with multiple figures.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing centers on three main figures: a bearded, crowned figure on a throne, a younger man with a halo pointing upward, and a kneeling woman with a halo gesturing toward the seated figure, likely representing God the Father, Christ, and the Virgin Mary.

Technique & Style

The artist employed a range of techniques, including cross-hatching, to create shading and depth, using closely spaced lines to build up shadows and texture, a common method in drawings of this period.

Artist & collection

Portrait of German 15th Century

Artist

German 15th Century

This 15th-century German artist carved vivid religious scenes into metal and wood, then hand-painted them in bright, symbolic colors.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.