The Virgin Supporting the Body of Christ c. 1490 - 1500

Master F created this engraving of "The Virgin Supporting the Body of Christ" sometime between 1525 and 1540. The image presents a profoundly human and vulnerable depiction of religious figures. The Virgin Mary cradles the lifeless body of Christ, in a composition that emphasizes their shared suffering. This tender, intimate portrayal invites a deeply emotional connection, diverging from more formal, divine representations which were popular at the time. Master F was active during the height of the Protestant Reformation, a period marked by religious conflict and shifting cultural values. The artist seems to reflect a changing spiritual landscape, which was moving towards more personal, empathetic forms of devotion. This piece echoes the widespread experience of grief and loss, humanizing sacred figures. It emphasizes the raw pain of bereavement, and offers a space for viewers to contemplate both individual and collective suffering.