Master IAM

Master IAM is the provisional designation for an anonymous printmaker or workshop active during the mid-15th century, documented around 1465. Known exclusively through a small corpus of surviving engravings, this artist is historically significant for contributing to the early development of the print medium in the transitional period before the major European printmaking masters.

Eight prints attributed to Master IAM are currently represented in international museum collections. The artist’s work demonstrates an engagement with both established Christian iconography and early explorations of mortality themes. Notable surviving examples include two impressions of the religious scene, Adoration of the Magi, as well as the unique composition, Memento Mori: a skeleton in a niche. Other key works held in institutions include St. George and The Crucifixion.

The historical significance of Master IAM is underscored by the preservation of these works in major institutional archives, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Due to their age and historical provenance, the surviving impressions are highly valuable documents for art historians. Today, many of the high-quality prints and related works associated with this era are now available in the public domain, allowing for wider scholarly access and appreciation.