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Head of a Bishop's crozier with the Virgin and Child

Print
ca 1470 (engraved)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This engraving depicts the top portion of a bishop's crozier - the ceremonial staff based on a shepherd's crook that is carried in procession by bishops and archbishops.

Martin Schongauer, son of a goldsmith, was among the first European artists to explore the full expressive potential of printmaking. Schongauer's novel use of the technique of engraving, developed from the goldsmith's long-established practice of decorating metal with engraved patterns, was recognized almost immediately and his prints were highly esteemed in his own lifetime. In this print Schongauer has shown a clear understanding for the artisan's creation and his knowledge of the best of the goldsmiths' craft.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleHead of a Bishop's crozier with the Virgin and Child (popular title)
Materials and techniques
engraving on laid paper
Brief description
Engraving of a Bishop's crozier
Physical description
This part of the engraving depicts the top portion of a bishop's crozier. The curl of the crozier is decorated with seven crockets. Four tiny male figures climb through the tracery on top. At the centre of the crozier are the crowned Madonna, seated on a throne between two angels playing a lute and an organ. The Madonna holds the naked Child who is standing and blessing. A blank shield rests on the bottom of the circle, ready to receive the bishop's coat of arms.
Dimensions
  • Maximum height: 263mm
  • Maximum width: 93mm
The part of the print signed with the artist's monogram has been cut off in this example.
Styles
Historical context
'Lehrs was also convinced that the 'Crozier' offered evidence that Schongauer had actually been trained as a goldsmith to some extent in his father's workshop....It is certainly true that a goldsmith must work from a drawing and that this print would offer the possibility of multiple copies
Subjects depicted
Summary
This engraving depicts the top portion of a bishop's crozier - the ceremonial staff based on a shepherd's crook that is carried in procession by bishops and archbishops.

Martin Schongauer, son of a goldsmith, was among the first European artists to explore the full expressive potential of printmaking. Schongauer's novel use of the technique of engraving, developed from the goldsmith's long-established practice of decorating metal with engraved patterns, was recognized almost immediately and his prints were highly esteemed in his own lifetime. In this print Schongauer has shown a clear understanding for the artisan's creation and his knowledge of the best of the goldsmiths' craft.
Bibliographic reference
Lambert, Susan (ed.) Pattern & Design: Designs for the Decorative Arts 1480-1980 London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1983
Collection
Accession number
14401A

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Record createdApril 10, 2008
Record URL
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