Who painted Woe is Pronounced on the Scribes and Pharisees?

Woe is Pronounced on the Scribes and Pharisees was painted by Augustin Hirschvogel in 1549.

Where can I see Woe is Pronounced on the Scribes and Pharisees?

Woe is Pronounced on the Scribes and Pharisees is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Woe is Pronounced on the Scribes and Pharisees?

Woe is Pronounced on the Scribes and Pharisees is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Woe is Pronounced on the Scribes and Pharisees

Augustin Hirschvogel , 1549

Woe is Pronounced on the Scribes and Pharisees is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Augustin Hirschvogel. It dates from 1549 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Woe is Pronounced on the Scribes and Pharisees is a 1549 etching by Augustin Hirschvogel, a multifaceted German artist, mathematician, and cartographer associated with the Danube School.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts four winged figures, each holding a scroll emblazoned with 'Woe' in bold letters, arranged in a circular, dynamic composition. Their varied, expressive poses convey anger and admonition. Accompanying Bible verses underscore a critique of hypocrisy, particularly targeting the powerful.

Technique & Style

Executed in etching, the work showcases detailed renderings of the figures, including feathers and swirling clouds, set against a plain background. This contrasts intricate, expressive figural work with simplicity, characteristic of Hirschvogel's nuanced approach within the Danube School tradition.

History & Provenance

Created in 1549, this etching is part of Hirschvogel's notable series of thirty-five small landscape etchings produced between 1545 and 1550, though this work's theme diverges from the landscape focus.

Context

Emerging from the Danube School, active in 16th-century Bavaria and Austria, the piece reflects the school's artistic tendencies while incorporating Hirschvogel's unique blend of mathematical precision and theological commentary.

Legacy

While specific legacy details of this piece are not highlighted, it contributes to the broader recognition of Hirschvogel's etching skills and the Danube School's influence on European printmaking of the era.