Austrian 15th Century

The artist designated as Austrian 15th Century was active during the early decades of the 15th century, specifically between approximately 1400 and 1430. While biographical details remain unknown, their work contributes significantly to the study of Late Gothic and early Renaissance drawing traditions in Central Europe.

The extant works attributed to this hand consist primarily of narrative drawings focusing on complex scenes derived from the Old Testament. Eight such drawings are documented as represented in major museum collections, offering crucial insight into the graphic arts developed in the Austrian 15th Century prints and drawings tradition.

These documented works, which lend themselves well to high-quality prints for scholarly examination, include the dramatic biblical narratives Jael Killing Sisera and Judith Killing Holofernes. Other notable subjects cataloged are Gideon and the Fleece, with the Selection of Gideon's Army, Isaac and Esau, and the drawing titled Michol Helping David Escape. The entire collection of known drawings attributed to the Austrian 15th Century are preserved in the National Gallery of Art, confirming their museum-quality status. Due to their age, these historical works are frequently made available in the public domain for research and educational purposes.