Artwork
Christ Charges the Apostles of their Mission
Christ Charges the Apostles of their Mission is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Augustin Hirschvogel. It dates from 1548 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Christ Charges the Apostles of their Mission is a 1548 etching by Augustin Hirschvogel, a German artist known for his contributions to etching, mathematics, and cartography. This religious print depicts a pivotal biblical scene.
Subject & Meaning
The etching illustrates Jesus commissioning his apostles to disseminate their message, as indicated by the central figure (Jesus) holding a child amidst a group of gesturing men. The dynamic poses and directional gestures (upward and towards the crowd) convey the scene's emphasis on mission and dissemination.
Technique & Style
Hirschvogel employed expressive lines to capture movement and emotion, rendering the figures active and engaged. The etching's composition, with its bustling outdoor setting of trees and uneven ground, reflects the artist's association with the Danube School, known for its detailed and often lively depictions of landscapes and scenes.
History & Provenance
Created in 1548, this work falls within Hirschvogel's prolific period of producing thirty-five small landscape etchings between 1545 and 1549. Specific provenance details are not provided.
Context
As part of the Danube School, a 16th-century artistic movement in Bavaria and Austria, Hirschvogel's work combines religious themes with the School's characteristic attention to detail and dynamic natural settings.
Legacy
While specific legacy details of *Christ Charges the Apostles of their Mission* are not provided, Hirschvogel's etchings, including this work, contribute to the broader understanding and appreciation of 16th-century German printmaking and the Danube School's influence.
Artist & collection
Artist
Augustin Hirschvogel (1503 – February 1553) was a German artist, mathematician, and cartographer known primarily for his etchings.
