Artwork
The Story of the Dead King and his Three Sons
The Story of the Dead King and his Three Sons is a print by the Renaissance artist Master MZ. It dates from 1502 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
The work titled The Story of the Dead King and his Three Sons is a printed image executed by the anonymous artist known as Master MZ in 1502. It is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is displayed as an example of early Renaissance graphic art.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a narrative scene in which a mounted figure stands central, surrounded by several standing and kneeling individuals. The participants wear richly detailed garments and hold weapons such as swords and spears, suggesting a moment of mourning or succession linked to the titular dead monarch and his heirs.
Technique & Style
Master MZ employs a sophisticated handling of line and shading to convey three‑dimensional space. Contrasting areas of light and dark create a chiaroscuro effect that models the figures and gives depth to the rolling landscape of hills and trees in the background. The texture of fabrics and armor is rendered through fine cross‑hatching and stippling.
History & Provenance
Created at the turn of the 16th century, the print entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the 20th century, though the precise path of ownership before that remains undocumented in the museum’s records.
Artist & collection
