Artwork Page for The Lovers

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The Lovers

c. 1490

Wenzel von Olmütz

(Bohemian)

after Master of the House-Book

(German, c. 1470–1500)

after Hausbuch Master

(German, active 1470–1500)
Culture
Germany
Medium
engraving
Support
Laid paper
Measurements
Image: 16.7 x 10.9 cm (6 9/16 x 4 5/16 in.); Sheet: 16.9 x 11.3 cm (6 5/8 x 4 7/16 in.)
Credit Line
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 2010.262
Catalogue raisonné
Bartsch, vol. VI, pp. 336-37, no. 48; Lehrs, pp. 79-80, no. 68; Passavant, vol. 2, p. 134, no. 48
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

In this image, a man and woman sit facing one another; the woman casts her eyes down shyly as the man makes a tender touch, an invitation to love. This artist pared down a garden of love to an arbor with a low fence, a vase of flowers,
and a basin of water holding a jug of wine and cup. The love displayed in the garden is chaste, as intended. This is apparent by the wine in the water bath, suggesting cooled desire; the carnations in the vase, symbols of virginity; and the woman’s small dog, a sign of fidelity.
A vertically oriented engraving in black ink depicts a man and a woman with light skin tones seated beneath a vine arch. On our left, a woman in a headscarf gazes down at a small monkey. To her right, a man in a floppy hat looks toward her, resting his hand on hers. A potted plant stands to our left, while a pitcher sits in a basin to our right. Small W at the bottom.

The Lovers

c. 1490

Wenzel von Olmütz, Master of the House-Book, Hausbuch Master

(Bohemian), (German, c. 1470–1500), (German, active 1470–1500)
Germany

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