Martin SchongauerGerman, 1440–1491Christ Blessing The Virgin
Can I see it?
Not on view at present
Where is “Christ Blessing The Virgin” now? Collection: Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis. Not on view at present. Checked September 29, 2026.
Minneapolis, United States
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the work
The Virgin Mary and Jesus sit enthroned as co-rulers of heaven, though the orb in his hand indicates that he is the ultimate power. Mary joins her hands in prayer as he raises his right hand to bless her. The image is typical of Marian devotion, which saw Mary as a powerful intercessor for those seeking God’s mercy, in times of plague, famine, and other afflictions. Mary was reaching peak popularity in Germany about the time when Schongauer made this exquisite engraving. A generation later, Martin Luther and other German reformers would push back hard against such devotion.
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Details
- Accession number
- P.13, 756
In the catalog
Sources
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
- Image: Minneapolis Institute of Art — public domain
