Who painted The Death of the Virgin?

The Death of the Virgin was painted by German 15th Century in 1485.

Where can I see The Death of the Virgin?

The Death of the Virgin is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Death of the Virgin?

The Death of the Virgin is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

The Death of the Virgin

German 15th Century , 1485

The Death of the Virgin is an ink print 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

The work titled *The Death of the Virgin* is a hand‑colored woodcut print. Executed on a single wood block, the image is printed in brown and then enriched with pigments of red lake, green, vermilion, yellow, tan and gold. The composition presents a solemn gathering around a dying woman, rendered in flat, bold shapes that emphasize the gravity of the moment.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts a group of mourners surrounding a woman on her deathbed, traditionally identified as the Virgin Mary. Figures are shown kneeling or standing with bowed heads, hands clasped in prayer, while a white‑cloaked figure lies supine. The use of gold halos and vivid robes underscores the sanctity of the event and the communal grief of the faithful.

Technique & Style

After printing, the artist applied hand‑applied color washes, employing red lake for garments, green for architectural elements, and gold for halos.

The image was produced by carving the design into a wood block, inking the surface, and pressing it onto paper to create a brown ground. After printing, the artist applied hand‑applied color washes, employing red lake for garments, green for architectural elements, and gold for halos. The style is characterized by simplified forms, strong outlines, and a limited palette that accentuates the narrative.

Context

Woodcut prints of religious subjects were common in the late medieval and early Renaissance periods, serving both devotional and didactic purposes. The combination of monochrome printing with selective hand‑coloring allowed for relatively inexpensive yet visually striking images that could be circulated among a broad audience, reinforcing the veneration of the Virgin’s death.