The Visitation

Art Historical Context

### The Visitation Behold *The Visitation*, a masterful1593 engraving by Dutch artist Hendrik Goltzius, crafted in the elegant style of Italian Mannerist Parmigianino. This poignant biblical scene depicts the Virgin Mary's encounter with her cousin Elizabeth, a moment of divine joy from the Gospel of Luke. At 47.4 x 35.2 cm, the trimmed sheet captures Goltzius's extraordinary skill in translating Parmigianino's graceful, elongated figures—hallmarks of Mannerism—into intricate lines on laid paper, a period favorite with its textured chain lines adding subtle depth. Goltzius, a leading engraver of the Northern Renaissance, revolutionized printmaking with his painterly burin work, blurring the line between engraving and painting. By emulating Parmigianino's sinuous forms and refined poses, he bridged Italian sophistication with Dutch precision, making high art accessible through affordable prints. This technique allowed widespread dissemination of religious iconography during the late 16th century, amid Reformation tensions. Housed in the National Gallery of Art through the Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, *The Visitation* exemplifies Goltzius's virtuosity, inviting viewers to marvel at how metal and ink evoke spiritual tenderness and human connection across centuries.