Todays Print Lesson: "The Dance of St. Mary Magdalene" by Lucas Van Leyden (1494-1533), engraving, 11" x 15", 1519. This engraving is one of the most beautiful and technically impressive in the history of intaglio printmaking. Considering that "Master Lucas" (as Albrecht Dürer called him!) lived a short time, and during the period that Durer dominated, its amazing to look at his body of work and what he was able to accomplish. Master Lucas manages to create atmosphere and depth by skillful engraving only rivaled by Durer, and in some cases such as this he may even surpass him! His pictorial composition skills are unsurpassed. I spent a couple of weeks in Nuremberg at the national museum a few years back. Every day I went to the print room determined to look at in real life, every single Durer, Cranach, Van Leyden, & Altdorfer that exists. I did, and came away with no doubt in my mind that Durer was the best, but not by far. His closest rival was Master Lucas. For just a second you need to look at his birthdate, and then the date of his best work. You will soon be floored by the fact that he did his best work when he was around the age of 20! Hell, he did "The Dance of St Mary Magdalene" at 25! He was a prodigy, and Durer knew this. Durer collected prints by him. Talk about getting respect. Pure and simple, he was one of the most gifted printmakers that ever lived. Period. For more on Master Lucas read about him HERE. Also, visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art's page regarding this print.
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