Artwork
Interior of the Church of Saint Maria Magdalena with the Parable of the Offering of the Widow
Interior of the Church of Saint Maria Magdalena with the Parable of the Offering of the Widow is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Daniel Hopfer. It dates from 1530 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Interior of the Church of Saint Maria Magdalena with the Parable of the Offering of the Widow is an etching on iron created by Daniel Hopfer around 1530. It showcases Hopfer's skill in adapting etching techniques, a medium he helped pioneer.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a crowded church interior with worshippers in period attire, some gesturing or conversing. The scene includes detailed architectural elements like tall arches, stonework, and a ribbed ceiling, with small figures resembling angels in the corners.
Technique & Style
Hopfer used lines to create a sense of depth, characteristic of 16th-century etching. The work reflects his background in working with metal, as evident in the use of iron plates and open biting technique.
History & Provenance
Daniel Hopfer, active in the late 15th to early 16th century, was a German artist known for his contributions to etching in printmaking.
Artist & collection
Artist
Daniel Hopfer (c. 1470 – 1536) was a German artist who is widely believed to have been the first to use etching in printmaking, at the end of the 15th century. He also worked in woodcut. Although his etchings were…
