The Nativity c. 1480 - 1500

Martin Schongauer created this print, *The Nativity*, sometime before his death in 1491, using the technique of engraving. This was a relatively new medium in the late 15th century, requiring the artist to use a tool called a burin to incise lines directly into a copper plate. Look closely, and you'll see how the network of engraved lines defines the forms and creates tonal variation. Schongauer would have needed great skill to control the depth and spacing of his marks, building up areas of shadow through cross-hatching, and delicately suggesting the play of light. Prints like this were luxury goods that were available to those who could afford them. The process of making a print involved significant labor, from the mining and refining of the metal to the skilled work of the engraver. By appreciating the labor and skill involved, we can move beyond traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.