Hope (Hoffnung), from The Seven Virtues
Medium
Woodcut; third state of three (Hollstein)
Dimensions
Sheet: 6 13/16 × 3 1/16 in. (17.3 × 7.7 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Henry Walters, by exchange, 1931
Accession Number
31.31.5
Tags
Art Historical Context
Hans Burgkmair the Elder (1473–1531), a master woodcutter from Augsburg, created *Hope (Hoffnung)* as part of his series *The Seven Virt*, embodying the Christian theological and cardinal virtues. This small woodcut, measuring just 6 13/16 × 3 1/16 inches, captures the virtue of Hope in a elegant profile view of a woman, a common Renaissance motif symbolizing aspiration and faith. Produced in the third and final state as cataloged by Hollstein, it reflects refinements in printing, likely including added details or tonal effects achieved through skilled block-cutting. Woodcuts like this were r...
About the Artist
Hans Burgkmair · 1473–1531
Hans Burgkmair the Elder (1473–1531) was a German painter and printmaker who became one of the leading artists of the Renaissance in Augsburg. Born into a family of painters — his father, Thoman Burgkmair, was a respected artist — he likely received his initial training in his father's workshop. He may also have studied with Martin Schongauer in Colmar, and a probable visit to Italy around 1507 ex...