Master of 1515

The artist designated as the Master of 1515 was an anonymous printmaker active during a focused period from approximately 1505 to 1515. Their surviving output, consisting exclusively of prints, reveals a strong thematic interest in classical mythology, allegory, and military subject matter typical of the early sixteenth century.

Seven documented prints by the Master of 1515 are preserved in museum collections, establishing the artist’s contribution to Renaissance printmaking. Notable works include mythological compositions such as Satyr playing a lyre and a sleeping nymph, Satyr's Family, and the dynamic Bacchanalian Scene with Satyrs and a Maenad. The artist also explored narrative tension and conflict, evident in the work A battle of soldiers some on horseback, alongside allegorical subjects like Allegory of Fortitude (?).

The high-quality prints created by the Master of 1515 are held by prestigious American institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Gallery of Art, and the Art Institute of Chicago. Due to their institutional preservation, many examples of Master of 1515 prints are now available in the public domain, offering museum-quality reproductions for academic research and study.