The drawing Madonna with the Monkey is a masterful work executed in pen and black ink, created after the influential German Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528). Classified as a drawing, this piece reflects the widespread influence and immediate artistic response to Dürer's celebrated compositions from the late 15th and early 16th centuries. The image adapts the classic subject of the Madonna and Child, likely interpreting one of Dürer’s highly disseminated compositions that proliferated throughout Germany and Europe.
The technical execution is intricate, utilizing pen and black ink laid over an initial sketch done in graphite. The composition is rendered on cream laid paper, which has subsequently been laid down onto a secondary ivory laid paper distinguished by embedded blue fibers. Dating approximately between 1498 and 1528, the meticulous nature of the drawing suggests it was produced by a skilled follower seeking to emulate the precision and dense linework characteristic of Dürer’s graphic output. This tradition of copying was essential for the circulation of popular religious images, many of which were originally distributed as woodcuts or engravings.
This valuable drawing, illustrating the profound impact of Dürer’s style on early German graphic arts, is preserved in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The lasting influence of this Renaissance master ensures that his original works and subsequent prints remain a cornerstone of art historical study, often available through public domain resources globally.
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