The Forge of the Heart, 1529

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Engravingexpand_more

Gift of Herschel V. Jones, 1926expand_more  P.10,996

Not on Viewexpand_more

This dazzling allegory is no bigger than a bookplate, which evidently it was. Its presumed owner was Willibald Pirckheimer, a prominent Nuremberg humanist and scholar (and Albrecht Dürer's best friend). Here Tribulation beats an anvil, Envy casts a disdainful glance, Hope looks up to see soothing drops fall on the flaming heart, and Tolerance rests patiently below. The iconography suggests that patience in the face of hardship brings grace, a fitting sentiment considering Pirckheimer was ill when the engraving was completed and died the following year.

Details
Title
The Forge of the Heart
Artist Life
active 1523-1530
Role
Artist
Accession Number
P.10,996
Provenance
Bresler Gallery, 1926
Catalogue Raisonne
Bartsch 30
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.

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