Head of the Saviour in Profile

Artist Hans Burgkmair the Elder (German, 1473-1531)

Date1511

Dimensions9 x 9 in.

MediumWoodcut

ClassificationPrints

Credit LineFrederick B. and Kate L. Shoemaker Fund

Object number

1950.291

Not on View

Label TextHans Burgkmair was a painter in Augsburg who started designing woodcuts after returning from a trip to Italy in 1507. He was impressed with the ability of the woodcut to imitate painting, both in scale and through the addition of color. The success of his designs depended on the extraordinary ability of the woodblock cutters, many of which are known. Burgkmair was held in such high esteem that most of his career was spent in the employ of the Holy Roman Emperor Maximillian.Published ReferencesDodgson, Campbell, "Rare Woodcuts in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, II", BURLINGTON MAGAZINE, XXXIX, August 1921, p. 70. (Cites an impression in Liechtenstein Collection, Vienna, in addition to those in Ashmolean Museum, Oxford; Albertina and Hofbibliotek collection. CD says may be from another block of chiaroscuro, but no impression from tone block are known.) Hollstein, F. W. H., German Engravings, Etchings and Woodcuts, V, Amsterdam, p.49. (Cites this example as without text in collection, Vienna)Exhibition HistoryToledo Museum of Art, Renaussance Prints: Fable, Faith and Folk, Oct. 16 to Dec. 16, 1958. The Passion and the Apocalypse: Albrecht Dürer's Renaissance, Oct 1,04 - Jan 2,05