Virgin Mary and the Sleeping Infant Jesus

Donated by Vojtěch Lanna in 1885. The sheet is a very early example of the mezzotint technique invented in 1642 by German amateur graphic artist Ludwig von Siegen. Netherlandish painter and engraver Wallerant Vaillant was the first professional graphic artist to use mezzotint for commercial purposes and produced dozens of sheets in it. His work is credited for spreading and popularizing this impressive technique throughout Europe.