Mother and Child with Skull and Hourglass, c. 1528-1530
Barthel Behamexpand_more
Engravingexpand_more
Bequest of Herschel V. Jonesexpand_more P.68.120
Not on Viewexpand_more
The Nuremberg brothers Barthel and Sebald Beham were among the elite Little Masters, the artistic heirs of Albrecht Dürer, known for their small, jewel-like prints. These diminutive works enchanted collectors, who appreciated their technical virtuosity and atypical themes. Barthel was especially gifted. His startling Mother and Child with Skull and Hourglass shows a mother nursing an infant whose limp pose, as well as the hourglass and skull, implies that he is most likely dead. The woman's Venetian costume and the Italianate landmark out the window show Barthel's debt to Italian art, a source of inspiration for many German artists. The charming Virgin and Child with a Parrot, inspired by Italian models, is notable as the first print ever purchased by Herschel V. Jones.
Details
- Title
- Mother and Child with Skull and Hourglass
- Artist Life
- 1502–1540
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- P.68.120
- Provenance
- Pierre Muriette, 1669 (L. 1789); A. E. Posonyi; A. Freiherr von Lanna (L. 2773); Paul J. Sachs (L. 2091); Knoedler & Co.
- Catalogue Raisonne
- Pauli, Hollstein 6; Bartsch 5
- 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.