The Virgin Mary Taking Leave of Christ

Hopfer, leveraging his background in armor-making, innovatively used iron plates for etching. The piece features his signature double-biting technique, achieving nuanced tonal depths and soft shadows through two acid bath processes.

Produced in Augsburg, Germany, this work was part of Hopfer's pioneering efforts in etching, though his contributions were not fully recognized until later scholarship. The exact provenance details are not specified in the provided information.

Emerging in the 1500s, etchings like this were novel. Hopfer's work, including this piece, contributed to establishing etching as a viable commercial print medium, distinct from its initial experimental phase.

Despite being overlooked in his lifetime, Hopfer's role in the development of etching is now acknowledged. This etching, along with his other iron works, demonstrates his lasting impact on the medium.