The Adoration of the Einsiedeln Madonna
n.d.
Medium
Woodcut in black hand colored with elements of fabric, copper alloy metal foil, and block printed distemper colorants on paper, attached to the verso and visible through cutouts, on ivory laid paper (discolored to buff), laid down on blue wove paper (discolored to tan)
Dimensions
Image: 35.4 × 25.8 cm (13 15/16 × 10 3/16 in.); Sheet: 38.7 × 29.5 cm (15 1/4 × 11 5/8 in.)
Classification
engraving
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
152176
Art Historical Context
Behold *The Adoration of theiedeln Madonna*, a devotional woodcut from the collection of the Art Institute of's Prints and Drawings department. This unknown artist's creation honors the revered Black Madonna of Einsied Abbey in Switzerland, a major pilgrimage site since the 9th century where devotees sought her intercession. The image, measuring about 35 x 26 cm, depicts worshippers adoring the sacred figure, embodying the deep Marian devotion central to late medieval and early modern Catholic culture. What makes this print extraordinary are its elaborate mixed-media techniques, blending acce...