Master I.B.

Master I.B. is the name assigned to an unidentified engraver active during the first three decades of the 16th century, documented as working between 1500 and 1530. The artist is known exclusively through their graphic work, characterized by high technical skill and attention to mythological or classical subjects, common during the period.

The artist’s surviving output consists entirely of prints, with eleven compositions currently represented in prestigious museum collections. These works establish Master I.B.’s consistent focus on figural studies and classical allegory. Notable examples include the print Bacchanale and detailed mythological depictions such as Three Putti with Armor. Master I.B. also contributed to thematic print series, demonstrated by the inclusion of Saturn and Jupiter, both originating from the series The Gods Who Preside Over the Planets. Additionally, the artist produced intricate decorative designs, exemplified by the print Dagger Sheath with a Warrior.

The artistic significance of Master I.B. prints is affirmed by their inclusion in major institutions of graphic arts, including the Art Institute of Chicago and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. These museum-quality examples provide key insights into early 16th-century European printmaking. As historical works, many compositions by Master I.B. are now in the public domain, allowing access to high-quality prints and downloadable artwork for scholarly study.