Virgin and Child with an Apple 1470 - 1480

This 15th-century engraving by the German master Martin Schongauer, titled "Virgin and Child with an Apple," showcases the artist's mastery of line and detail. The Virgin Mary, depicted with a serene expression, cradles the Christ Child, who holds an apple, a symbol of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge. The intricate folds of Mary's robe and the delicate features of both figures highlight Schongauer's meticulous technique, characteristic of the late Gothic style. This work, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, remains a prime example of Northern Renaissance printmaking.