Bellange produced only 48 etchings between 1611 and 1616, yet his brilliant artistic imagination and
technical mastery place him among the greatest european printmakers of the 17th century. Although
based on traditional christian imagery, bellange’s etchings are filled with an unusual psychological
drama and a penetrating spirituality. Elongated, sensual figures engage in provocative scenes
that might seem extreme or even bizarre but are characteristic of mannerism, an international artistic
style at the time. The virgin mary spins thread while the christ child sleeps. The basket of wool and the distaff holding
the wool as it is spun both relate to the legend that describes the virgin’s upbringing at the temple of
jerusalem, where she spun wool and wove vestments for the priests. Date: 1611. Place of creation: France, 17th century. Dimensions: Sheet: 26.1 x 19.3 cm (10 1/4 x 7 5/8 in.); Platemark: 25.1 x 18.7 cm (9 7/8 x 7 3/8 in.). Medium: etching print and engraving. Collection: Cleveland Museum of Art. Clevelandart 1986.244
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