"The Beautiful Virgin of Regensburg" Seated in a Landscape 1475 - 1538

Albrecht Altdorfer created this tiny engraving, "The Beautiful Virgin of Regensburg," in Germany during the early 16th century. The print depicts the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child, set against a backdrop of a lush landscape. The image reflects the religious fervor of the time, but also, perhaps, the emerging importance of landscape in art. Altdorfer was a key figure in the Danube School, known for its expressive landscapes. The setting here evokes the natural world, and this reflects a broader cultural shift towards valuing the observable world. The print also speaks to the rise of printmaking as a means of disseminating images widely. This reflects a changing relationship to religious imagery, where access was broadening beyond the church itself. To understand the print, one might consult contemporary religious texts, social histories of the period, and catalogues of Altdorfer's work. Ultimately, the meaning of this artwork is contingent on its historical and institutional context.