Artwork

Pietà

Pietà, by German 15th Century, 1480
Pietà, by German 15th Century, 1480

Pietà is a print by the Renaissance artist German 15th Century. It dates from 1480 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

This print, titled Pietà, is an example of early printed art created using the paste print technique. The image is worn and aged, with a faded red and black color scheme.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a religious scene featuring a group of figures, likely representing a Pietà, a traditional Christian subject showing the Virgin Mary mourning over the body of Christ.

Technique & Style

The image employs chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create a simple yet striking visual pattern. The dark lines stand out against the red background, defining the figures.

History & Provenance

The print shows signs of aging, including cracks and fading, indicating its age and historical significance as an early example of printed art.

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.