Artwork
The Death of the Virgin
The Death of the Virgin is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Peter Maler. It dates from 1468 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Death of the Virgin is a woodcut print created by Peter Maler in 1468. It is a hand-colored representation of a poignant scene.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a group of robed figures surrounding a dying woman, likely the Virgin Mary, at a table. The figures are engaged in various acts of devotion, with some holding books or crosses, while others kneel or lean in, as the woman looks upward with clasped hands.
Technique & Style
The woodcut features bold lines, flat bright colors, and simple outlines, eschewing realistic details and shading. The use of hand-coloring in light orange-red, green, yellow, and brown adds to the image's visual impact, exemplifying a style characteristic of early printed art.
Artist & collection
