Art Institute of Chicago

The Second Foolish Virgin

Martin Schongauer

Date

1480-91

Medium

Engraving on paper

Culture

Germany

Department

Prints and Drawings

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

In the late 15th century, Martin Schongauer engraved a series illustrating the Christian New Testament story of the five wise and five foolish virgins. In the prints from that series, two of the wise virgins hold aloft lamps filled with oil, demonstrating their preparedness for the Day of Judgment, whereas empty lamps dangle from the hands of two foolish virgins. As an allegory for remaining chaste and faithful to Christ, the wise virgins bind their hair with bridal wreaths, while the foolish virgins have thrown their wreaths upon the ground. Schongauer differentiated each of the figures with careful attention to the intricate drapery and delicate hands and facial features.

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