Jesus Christ Parting from the Virgin to go and Suffer Death Possibly 1505 - 1709

This print, "Jesus Christ Parting from the Virgin to go and Suffer Death" was created by Daniel Hopfer sometime in the late 15th or early 16th century. Hopfer was a German artist known for his work in etching, a printmaking technique that involves using acid to cut into a metal plate, which is then inked and used to create impressions on paper. Hopfer was a metalworker by trade, and that background profoundly influenced his art. He transferred his knowledge of metalworking, including the use of acid for decoration, to printmaking. The image is composed of dense lines and cross-hatching, which create a sense of depth and shadow. The effect can be understood through the lens of craft as it mirrors the texture and precision one might find in metalwork of the period. As a result, the artwork can be seen as an example of how craft techniques can be adapted and transformed into fine art, blurring the boundaries between the two.