The Virgin and Infant Jesus with Saints c. 1600

This pen and wash drawing by German artist Hans Rottenhammer, created around 1600, depicts a scene of the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child with a group of saints. The composition is intricate and dynamic, with the figures arranged in a loose, yet balanced manner. The artist's use of line and wash creates a sense of depth and atmosphere, while the overall composition reflects the influence of the Italian Renaissance. The small scale of the drawing, measuring just 13.6 x 11.1 cm, suggests it may have been a study for a larger painting. Rottenhammer's drawing exemplifies the stylistic and thematic trends of the late 16th-century, combining traditional religious iconography with elements of naturalism and Renaissance aesthetic ideals.