14 September 2006 – 26 November 2006

Israhel van Meckenem | Copper engravings - The Munich Collection

Israhl van Meckenem (around 1440/45-1503 in Bocholt) is one of the most important copper engravers of the 15th century. With an œuvre of more than 500 plates to his name, Meckenem was by far the most productive master in the early period of copper engraving. More than any other artist, he recognised the wide-reaching potential of this then novel technique. It was one that opened up for the first time the possibility of offering an urban audience high quality pictures at affordable prices.
Meckenem‘s offerings included copies in the style of works created by leading artists of the time - such as the Master E. S., Schongauer, Holbein the Elder or Dürer - and also his own images. Religious scenes played a prominent role as did templates for goldsmiths and ornamental plates. The most famous, though, are his Morris dancers and the genre-like »Scenes from everyday life«, in which he captures lovers and married couples in a charmingly humorous way.

Moving out of the late Middle Ages, Meckenem broke new ground: Shortly after the technology of reproducing pictures had been discovered he was quick to advocate technical innovation, favouring extending the art market to a new, borgeois clientele and embracing the invention of reproduction graphics. As the first publisher in this field, Israhel van Meckenem played a decisve part in shaping the new medium.

The exhibition shows the complete stock of Meckenem-works held by the Staatliche Graphische Sammlung Munich. They provide a representative overview of the versality of the artist. Contrasted with this are some of the famous originals that Meckenem used as a basis for his work. Rounding off these exhibits are further precious and rare artworks. Among them: the only known drawing by Israhel; his famous double self-portrait with his wife, the very first self-portrait produced in printed form; an extremely rare printing plate dating back to the 15th century; and precious items of goldsmithery - such as those taken from the Amerbach-Kabinett in Basle that were based on designs by Meckenem and which document his impact on the art world.

Address

Pinakothek der Moderne
Kunstareal München Barer Strasse 40
80333 München
phone +49 89 23 80 53 60
http://www.pinakothek.de

Opening Hours

Daily 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., closed on Monday

Description of the Museum

With four major museums presenting art, works on paper, architecture and design under one roof, the Pinakothek der Moderne is one of the world’s greatest collections of 20th and 21st century art. The open and spacious building invites visitors to explore, to discover connections and gain new and surprising insights. Temporary exhibits and events from various cultural domains complete the supradisciplinary program.

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