Artwork
Mater Dolorosa
Mater Dolorosa is an ink print by the Baroque artist Robert Nanteuil. It dates from 1654 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Robert Nanteuil's 1654 engraving, Mater Dolorosa, is a print showcasing the artist's skill in capturing nuanced expressions through precise lines and shading.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving depicts the Virgin Mary in profile, her face veiled, conveying a sense of sorrow. The image is associated with Christian themes of grief and compassion.
Technique & Style
Nanteuil employed cross-hatching, a technique involving layered, intersecting lines, to create depth and texture in the image. The method allows the face to appear three-dimensional, with detailed shading and expression.
History & Provenance
Created in 1654 by Robert Nanteuil, a French artist known for his portrait engravings at the court of Louis XIV, Mater Dolorosa exemplifies his refined style.
Artist & collection
Artist
Robert Nanteuil (French pronunciation: ; 1623 – 9 December 1678) was a French portrait artist: engraver, draughtsman and pastellist to the court of Louis XIV.
The Virgin
Saint Mary Magdalene
Female Head
The Grieving Virgin Contemplating Instruments of the Passion
Head of the Young Christ
The Virgin
Miserere mei Deus
Head of an Aged Woman
Mater dolorosa
The Mourning Virgin
Hope (from the Tarocchi, series B: Cosmic Principles & Virtues, #39)
Sibyl Seen from the Back, Looking Downward to the Left