We don’t have an image of this object online yet. V&A Images may have a photograph that we can’t show online, but it may be possible to supply one to you. Email us at vaimages@vam.ac.uk for guidance about fees and timescales, quoting the accession number: E.758-1940
Find out about our images

Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level D , Case EL, Shelf 87

The Fifth Wise Virgin

Print
ca 1480 (engraved)
Artist/Maker
Schongauer, Martin (engraver)
Place of origin
Colmar (engraved)

See in profile the Wise Virgin strides over the grassy knoll holding the lamp in her extended right hand while lifting her upper dress with her left hand. Her unusually full and curly hair flows over her back. She wears clogs on her feet. Slightly to the right of the lower centre is the monogram M+S with the central symbol higher than the flanking initials.


Object details

Categories
Prints
Christianity
Religion
Images Online
Footwear
Object type
Print
TitleThe Fifth Wise Virgin (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Engraving on paper
Laid Paper
Printing Ink
Engraving (Incising)
Brief description
The Fifth Wise Virgin by Martin Schongauer; engraving; ca 1480
Physical description
See in profile the Wise Virgin strides over the grassy knoll holding the lamp in her extended right hand while lifting her upper dress with her left hand. Her unusually full and curly hair flows over her back. She wears clogs on her feet. Slightly to the right of the lower centre is the monogram M+S with the central symbol higher than the flanking initials.
Styles
Medieval
Renaissance
Marks and inscriptions
M+S (The monogram of Martin Schongauer is at the bottom of the print in the centre. The monogram consists of Schongauer's initials and a goldsmith-like hallmark composed of a small cross plus the crescent from his family's coat of arms. This signature occurs in two forms: a few plates, apparently all done in the early 1470s, have an M with vertical sides; the majority have an M with slanting sides as in this example. (The Illustrated Bartsch, 8 Commentary, Part 1, pg. 1))
Credit line
From the bequest of Miss Alice G. E. Carthew
Subject depicted
Oil Lamp
Literary referenceThe Bible
Bibliographic references
  • The Illustrated Bartsch, 8 Commentary, Part 1, .080 [B.81 (154), pg.284], pg.232
  • The Illustrated Bartsch, 8, Formerly 6 (Part 1), 81 (154)
  • Bartsch, Adam von, 'Le Peintre Gravure', Vienna, 1803-1821, B.81 (154)
  • Lehrs, Max, 'Martin Schongauer, The Complete Engravings, A Catalogue Raisonne', catalogue no. 80, pg.272
  • Hollstein German Engravings, Etchings and Woodcuts 1400-1700; compiled by Lothar Schmitt, edited by Nicholas Stogden; Volume XLIX, Ludwig to Martin Schongauer, page 172, no. 80; Sound & Vision Publishers Rotterdam/The Netherlands 1999.
Collection
Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
Accession number
E.758-1940

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdApril 11, 2008
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O152607/the-fifth-wise-virgin-print-schongauer-martin/
Download as: JSON