The Virgin and Child c. 1490

Andrea Mantegna created this engraving of the Virgin and Child in Italy in the late 15th century. Religious images like this one were common, serving both devotional and social functions. The print medium made it possible for such images to be widely distributed and for artists to reach new audiences. We can see the influence of the church and its patronage system on the very subject of the work. But Mantegna’s style, with its sharp lines and classical references, also reflects the growing interest in humanist learning and the art of antiquity during the Renaissance. Engravings like this one provide valuable insights into the religious, social, and artistic values of the time. Art historians examine such images alongside other historical sources, such as religious texts, social commentaries, and economic records, to better understand the complex interplay of culture and artistic production.