The Nativity

MARTIN SCHONGAUER (CIRCA 1445-1491) The Nativity engraving before 1474 on laid paper, without watermark a superb, early impression printing very sharply and evenly, with remarkable clarity even in the finest shading and the densely engraved areas, to a great sculptural effect with touches of burr on the trunk of the stable and elsewhere, and pronounced inky relief trimmed to or just inside the platemark but retaining a fillet of blank paper outside the borderline on all sides in very good condition Plate & Sheet: 6 ½ x 6 ½ in. (165 x 165 mm.)