A Censer, ca. 1480 – 1490

About the Work

This is a meticulous copy of Martin Schongauer’s ‘Censer’ (37226)—one of the fifteenth century’s technically most difficult engravings. Israhel van Meckenem was evidently out to demonstrate his equal standing with the master of Colmar. The print shows the uneven edges of the printing plate. Blank areas of copper plates were often cut off and melted down to make further plates.