The Madonna with the Fish
Original title: The Madonna with the Fish
kurzbeschreibung
Marcantonio Raimondi produced the Madonna with the Fish as an engraving, likely between 1515 and 1527. It shows the enthroned Mother of God with the Child, accompanied by an angel and a bearded man. The print is executed in the medium of engraving.
Description
At the center, the Madonna sits on a pedestal, the Child resting on her lap. To the left, an angel kneels holding a fish; to the right stands a long-haired, bearded man holding a book. A large, curved cloth stretches behind the figures, framing them like a backdrop. In the lower right corner, part of a face appears with an eerie expression. The layout feels symmetrical, and the figures' garments follow traditional forms.
Context
Raimondi, an Italian engraver of the Renaissance, became known chiefly for reproductive prints after designs by artists such as Raphael. This sheet belongs to his Roman period, when he worked closely with Raphael. The motif of the Madonna with the Fish traces back to a biblical scene that was often taken up in sixteenth-century art. Through Raimondi's engravings, High Renaissance compositions spread widely.
Impact
Fine lines and carefully placed shading give the figures a sense of volume. The symmetrical arrangement and the calm mood of the print create a solemn, devotional atmosphere. The eerie face at the lower edge provides a quiet counterpoint and draws the viewer's eye back again.
Technique
In engraving, the design is cut into a copper plate and then printed on paper. Raimondi used fine parallel lines and cross-hatching to bring out light and shadow. The monochrome approach suits the medium, which relies entirely on the contrast of black and white.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)