Mater Dolorosa, 1899 German Chromolithograph of the Sorrowful Mother, Dresden
€ 540
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1899
Mapmaker / artist
German Devotional Press, Dresden, 1899
Technique
Chromolithograph
Sheet size
53 × 39.6 cm (20.9 × 15.6 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-14165-5
What the condition grades mean
Excellent
Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good
Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good
Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair
Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Condition
In very good condition, with strong, unfaded colors. Minor age toning and handling marks at the margins, as expected for a devotional print of this period. No tears, losses, or repairs observed. The plate text remains crisp and fully legible.
About this sheet
Mater Dolorosa, 1899 German Chromolithograph of the Sorrowful Mother, Dresden
This exquisite late-19th-century chromolithograph of the Mater Dolorosa—“Sorrowful Mother”—was printed in Dresden in 1899 and represents one of the finest examples of German devotional chromolithographic craftsmanship. German presses of this period were among the most technically advanced in Europe, producing richly colored sacred images intended for Catholic households, chapels, and devotional altars. This edition displays all the hallmarks of high-quality German chromolithography: luminous tones, velvety shadows, precise color layering, and a soft glowing halo rendered through multiple stone plates.
The Virgin is shown in deep contemplation, her head bowed and a single tear resting on her cheek—a composition traditionally associated with the “Madonna of the Thumb.” Long attributed to the 17th-century Florentine master Carlo Dolci, some scholars now suggest the prototype may come from one of Dolci’s students. Regardless of its exact authorship, the image became one of the most beloved Marian subjects across Europe, widely reproduced in devotional chromolithographs around 1880–1910. This particular variant is especially desirable for its rare green-and-red garment palette and its right-facing orientation, both of which appear far less frequently than the more common left-facing versions.
The bottom margin includes the identifying imprint with numbering (“No. 45. Mater dolorosa.”) followed by its publication origin “Dresden 1899” and the note “Printed in Germany.” This confirms production in one of Germany’s major chromolithographic centers during the peak of devotional printing. Dresden publishers were renowned for their technical excellence, often working from Italian and French devotional prototypes to create richly atmospheric images like this one, designed to bring the emotional intensity of Renaissance painting into the home.
An important note for collectors: this is unquestionably an original 19th-century chromolithograph and not a modern reproduction. The color fields show authentic stone-layered printing, not digital or offset dot patterns. The paper displays natural age toning, a matte fibre texture, and the slight surface softness characteristic of late-19th-century chromolithographic stock. The period German imprint “Dresden 1899. Printed in Germany.” is entirely consistent with genuine editions of this time and confirms its authenticity. The luminous halo, deep ultramarine cloak, crimson lining, and fine gold detailing are all features of true high-quality devotional chromolithography, not modern printing.
Condition report: In very good condition, with strong, unfaded colors. Minor age toning and handling marks at the margins, as expected for a devotional print of this period. No tears, losses, or repairs observed. The plate text remains crisp and fully legible.
Tips for Framing: Ideal for framing in dark walnut, rosewood, or gilded moulding to enhance the warm halo and rich color palette. A cream or ivory mat complements the reds and greens beautifully. A slim black frame with a wide mat offers a more contemporary, gallery-style presentation.
mater dolorosa sorrowful mother madonna of the thumb virgin mary carlo dolci dolci school religious art catholic art devotional art madonna print marian art ecce homo companion print 19th century chromolithograph antique lithograph german devotional print dresden 1899 printed in germany chromolithography holy mother marian devotion christian iconography religieuse antique madonna rare color variant green and red variant chromolitho fine chromolitho religious ephemera
