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The Church Enthroned

A work made of etching in black on cream laid paper.
CC0 Public Domain Designation

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  • A work made of etching in black on cream laid paper.

Date:

1490/1536

Artist:

Daniel Hopfer, I
German, 1470-1536

About this artwork

This early state of Daniel Hopfer’s etching was likely printed during the artist’s lifetime, though subsequent identifications of its subject vary. Some believe it depicts Saint Barbara (who displays a chalice and communion wafer in a nearby woodcut by Hans Baldung Grien, 2009.43). Others argue the figure is the Virgin Mary, with the hovering head of Christ and the tiny Crucifixion on the host above her abdomen announcing her pregnancy. Unlike many Japanese prints in this gallery, the image does not refer to a specific cult statue or pilgrimage site. Instead, Mary’s halo, regal throne, and cloth of honor reflect the power of the entire Church.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Prints and Drawings

Artist

Daniel Hopfer, I

Title

The Church Enthroned

Place

Germany (Artist's nationality:)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

Artist's working dates 1490–1536

Medium

Etching in black on cream laid paper

Dimensions

Image/plate/sheet: 22.9 × 15.9 cm (9 1/16 × 6 5/16 in.)

Credit Line

Bequest of Mrs. Potter Palmer, Jr.

Reference Number

1956.975

IIIF Manifest  The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world.

Learn more.

https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/4181/manifest.json

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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