File:A treatise on wood engravings - historical and practical (1881) (14776615585).jpg

Identifier: treatiseonwooden00chat (find matches)
Title: A treatise on wood engravings : historical and practical
Year: 1881 (1880s)
Authors: Chatto, William Andrew, 1799-1864 Jackson, John, 1801-1848 Bohn, Henry G. (Henry George), 1796-1884
Subjects: Wood-engraving
Publisher: New York : J. W. Bouton
Contributing Library: Harold B. Lee Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Brigham Young University

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rico per figuras digestam, cum versibus annexis Chelidonii. Chelidonius,who was a Benedictine monk of Nuremberg, also furnished the descriptive text to the seriesof twelve cuts illustrative of Christs Passion, of which specimens will be found between page246 and page 250. e2 2U WOOD ENGEAVING is seen seated on a crescent, giving suck to the infant Christ; and herfigure and that of the child are drawn with great feeling. Of all DurersMadonnas, whether engraved on wood or copper, this, perhaps, is one ofthe best. Her attitude is easy and natural, and happily expressive of thecharacter in which she is represented—that of a nursing mother. Thelight and shade are well contrasted ; and the folds of her ample drapery,which Durer was fond of introducing whenever he could, are arranged ina manner which materially contributes to the effect of the engraving. The following cuts are reduced copies of two of the larger subjects ofthe same work. That which is here given represents the birth of the
Text Appearing After Image:
Virgin ; and were it not for the angel who is seen swinging a censer atthe top of the room, it might be taken for the accouchement of a Germanburgomasters wife in the year 1510. The interior is apparently that ofa house in Nuremberg of Durers own time, and the figures introduced IN THE TIME OF ALBERT DUREE. 245 are doubtless faithful copies, both in costume and character, of suchfemales as were generally to be found in the house of-a Germantradesman on such an occasion. From the number of cups and flagonsthat are seen, we may be certain that the gossips did not want liquor ;and that in Durers age the female friends and attendants on a groaningwoman were accustomed to enjoy themselves on the birth of a child oveia cheerful cup. In the fore-ground an elderly female is perceived takinga draught, without measure, from a flagon; while another, more in thedistance and farther to the right, appears to be drinking, from a cup,health to the infant which a woman like a nurse holds in her arms.

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