Master of the Death of the Virgin (engraver)
Encyclopedia
The Master of the Death of the Virgin (fl c. 1440-1450) was an engraver
most likely active in southern Germany
. Approximately ten prints have been ascribed to him, including a Death of the Virgin
for which he was named. He was formerly believed to be from the southern Netherlands
, but is now thought to have lived in southern Germany. He was likely a goldsmith
, and was among the first engravers known to be active. His style is awkward and unrefined, unlike the work of his contemporary, the Master of the Playing Cards
. The drapery in his prints is stiff, and there is only limited suggestion of space, creating an illusion that the figures are floating in mid-air. Most of the surviving output assigned to the Master is religious in nature; there is, however, a Battle Scene, a unique impression of which is housed in the Louvre
in Paris
. This depicts a broad landscape with at least eighty soldiers, mounted and on foot, in heavy combat.
Engraving
Engraving is the practice of incising a design on to a hard, usually flat surface, by cutting grooves into it. The result may be a decorated object in itself, as when silver, gold, steel, or glass are engraved, or may provide an intaglio printing plate, of copper or another metal, for printing...
most likely active in southern Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. Approximately ten prints have been ascribed to him, including a Death of the Virgin
Death of the Virgin
The Death of the Virgin Mary is a common theme in Western Christian art, comparable to the Dormition in Eastern Orthodox art. It becomes less common as the doctrine of the Assumption gains support in the Roman Catholic Church from the late Middle Ages onwards...
for which he was named. He was formerly believed to be from the southern Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, but is now thought to have lived in southern Germany. He was likely a goldsmith
Goldsmith
A goldsmith is a metalworker who specializes in working with gold and other precious metals. Since ancient times the techniques of a goldsmith have evolved very little in order to produce items of jewelry of quality standards. In modern times actual goldsmiths are rare...
, and was among the first engravers known to be active. His style is awkward and unrefined, unlike the work of his contemporary, the Master of the Playing Cards
Master of the Playing Cards
The Master of the Playing Cards was the first major master in the history of printmaking. He was a German engraver, and probably also a painter, active in southwestern Germany from the 1430s to the 1450s, who has been called "the first personality in the history of engraving." Various attempts...
. The drapery in his prints is stiff, and there is only limited suggestion of space, creating an illusion that the figures are floating in mid-air. Most of the surviving output assigned to the Master is religious in nature; there is, however, a Battle Scene, a unique impression of which is housed in the Louvre
Louvre
The Musée du Louvre – in English, the Louvre Museum or simply the Louvre – is one of the world's largest museums, the most visited art museum in the world and a historic monument. A central landmark of Paris, it is located on the Right Bank of the Seine in the 1st arrondissement...
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. This depicts a broad landscape with at least eighty soldiers, mounted and on foot, in heavy combat.