Wise maiden 

Martin Schongauer made this engraving, "Wise Maiden," sometime in the late fifteenth century. Here, the artist depicts a young woman holding a lamp, framed within a landscape setting. The artwork reflects the cultural context of the late Middle Ages in Europe, a time deeply influenced by religious beliefs. The image is rich with symbolic meaning. The lamp she is holding represents enlightenment, while the woman herself is an allegorical figure, meant to embody the virtues of prudence and wisdom. Her presence in the landscape indicates a connection between human intellect and the natural world, a theme common during the period. Schongauer’s decision to depict this subject through the medium of engraving is also noteworthy. During this time, printmaking was becoming an increasingly important means of disseminating ideas and images to a wider audience. Through careful analysis of this engraving, supported by research into the social and cultural context of its time, we can gain insights into the values and beliefs that shaped this artwork.