A Bishop's Crozier, c. 1475-1480
Martin Schongauerexpand_more
Engravingexpand_more
Bequest of Herschel V. Jonesexpand_more P.68.259
Not on Viewexpand_more
Martin Schongauer was the son of a goldsmith and likely learned to engrave lines on metal before moving on to become a painter. Part showpiece, part inspirational design, this engraving of the head of a bishop’s crozier, an elaborate staff that recalls a shepherd’s crook, a symbol of pastoral care. (Christ is likened to a shepherd; His followers to a flock.) Mary sits enthroned with the infant Jesus on her lap, while angels serenade them with a lute and an organ. Tiny men gambol on the gothic tracery above. Below her is a blank shield, a placeholder for a potential client’s coat of arms. Architectural niches ring the staff, each containing a saint. Margaret, left, stands on the dragon from which she escaped. Barbara, right, holds the sword that her father used to behead her and the chalice that symbolizes her Christian faith. The middle figure appears to be an emperor, perhaps the ancient Roman convert Constantine or the Saxon Holy Roman Emperor Henry II.
Details
- Title
- A Bishop's Crozier
- Artist Life
- c. 1440/53–1491
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- P.68.259
- Provenance
- Friedrich August II (L. 971); Colnaghi; Knoedler & Co., 1928
- Catalogue Raisonne
- Lehrs 105; Bartsch 106; L.V.357.105
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
Does something look wrong with this image? Let us know
Zoom in on the left to the detail you'd like to save. Click 'Save detail' and wait until the image updates. Right click the image to 'save image as' or copy link, or click the image to open in a new tab.