Who painted The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne by a Portal?

The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne by a Portal was painted by Daniel Hopfer in 1524.

Where can I see The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne by a Portal?

The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne by a Portal is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne by a Portal?

The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne by a Portal is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne by a Portal

Daniel Hopfer , 1524

The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne by a Portal is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Daniel Hopfer. It dates from 1524 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1524, this print presents a devotional grouping of the Virgin, the infant Christ, and Saint Anne positioned before an elaborately carved portal. The composition balances three figures within a restrained, reverent space, emphasizing the intimate interaction among them and the architectural framing.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure, Mary, holds a book, suggesting contemplation of scripture, while the child reaches toward her, evoking tenderness. Saint Anne, kneeling beside the infant, touches his hand, underscoring the generational link between mother and daughter. The surrounding dove and sunburst hint at divine presence and heavenly illumination.

Technique & Style

Executed on iron plates, the image was etched twice, a method Hopfer refined from his background in metalworking for armor. The lines convey fine detail in drapery folds and stone texture, while the repeated biting of the plate deepens shadows, producing a subtle tonal range characteristic of early German etching.

History & Provenance

Daniel Hopfer, a pioneering German printmaker, introduced etching to the commercial market at the close of the 15th century. This work exemplifies his early adoption of the technique, reflecting his transition from armor decoration to fine art printmaking and contributing to the spread of etched prints across Europe.

Artist & collection

Artist

Daniel Hopfer

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…