The Death of the Virgin

1480/1490

German 15th Century

Associated Names
This is a painting of a group of figures engaged in a gathering or conversation. The illustration depicts an intimate scene, where a collection of haloed figures sit closely together, some holding books or scrolls. The figures are dressed in robes of various colors, predominantly reds, blues, and whites, with some of the individuals showing expressions of focus and engagement. There is a structural backdrop with vertical columns, suggesting an interior setting. The style resembles an illuminated medieval manuscript, with detailed and vivid depictions of religious or communal scenes. The color palettes and outlines add to the medieval and narrative quality of this piece.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    woodcut in brown, hand-colored in red lake, green,vermilion, brown, yellow, tan, and gold

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.837

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Schreiber, no. 717


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Anton W.M. Mensing; Sotheby's, December 16, 1936, lot 228.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1965

  • Fifteenth-Century Woodcuts and Metalcuts from the Collection of the National Gallery of Art, NGA, 1965-1966, no. 80, repro.

Bibliography

1926

  • Schreiber, Wilhelm Ludwig. Handbuch de Holz- und Metailschnitte des XV Jahrhunderts. 8 vols. Leipzig: Verlag Karl W. Hierseman, 1926-1930.

1965

  • Field, Richard S. Fifteenth Century Woodcuts and Metalcuts from the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.. Exh. cat. Washington: National Gallery of Art, 1965.

Wikidata ID

Q64953469

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