The Virgin on the Grassy Bank 1505

Hans Baldung created this print, "The Virgin on the Grassy Bank," using woodcut. The print immediately strikes us with its intricate details. Baldung's masterful use of line and texture creates a rich surface. The composition features the Virgin Mary seated, holding the Christ Child, set against a detailed landscape. Look closely at the interplay between light and shadow, achieved through dense and sparse crosshatching. This technique not only defines form but also imbues the scene with a tangible atmosphere. The lines seem to dance across the surface, creating a dynamic visual rhythm. Baldung’s skill is evident in the variations of line thickness to suggest depth and volume. The arrangement of figures and background elements suggests a deeper understanding of how space and form interact to create symbolic meaning. This print exemplifies how Baldung used formal elements to explore the boundaries between the earthly and the divine, the material and the spiritual.