The Virgin of the Fish
Original title: The Virgin of the Fish
kurzbeschreibung
Marcantonio Raimondi engraved 'The Virgin with the Fish' around 1500–50. Mary appears with the Christ Child, a kneeling angel holding a fish, and a bearded man with a book. The print ranks among the fine examples of Raimondi's Renaissance printmaking.
Description
Mary occupies the center, the Child on her lap, and her figure sets the rhythm of the arrangement. To the left an angel kneels with a fish in hand; on the right stands a bearded man with long hair and a book. A large cloth frames the scene, and a animal head can be made out at the lower right. The layout is symmetrical around Mary, with light falling evenly across the surface, as is usual in engravings.
Context
Raimondi, an Italian Renaissance engraver, became known above all for his reproductions after artists such as Raphael. This engraving was made in the first half of the 16th century, when Raimondi was working in Rome and turning to biblical subjects. The fish in the motif refers to Christ as a symbol of Christianity and may go back to a model from Raphael's workshop.
Impact
The symmetrical arrangement and the calm bearing of the figures make the print appear balanced and harmonious. The detailed execution and the evenly distributed brightness give the scene a clear, almost solemn mood.
Technique
Lines were incised into a copper plate and then printed on paper, producing an engraving. The process allows fine, precise lines that bring out the details of the figures and the setting. Characteristic of intaglio printing is the monochrome palette.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)