A Bishop's Crosier c. 1475 - 1480

"A Bishop's Crosier" is a detailed engraving by the German artist Martin Schongauer, created around 1475-1480. This piece depicts a bishop's crosier, an ornate staff symbolizing authority, with an intricately designed shaft and a circular top featuring a scene of the Virgin Mary and Child. Schongauer, a master of the engraving technique, captures the delicate details of the crosier's intricate design, demonstrating the artistry involved in creating such ceremonial objects. The scene at the top, likely representing the bishop's patronage of the Virgin Mary, adds a devotional aspect to the artwork, making it a compelling example of the intricate and symbolic artistry of late 15th-century Germany.