The Louvre Museum is hosting a major retrospective dedicated to Martin Schongauer, a pivotal German artist of the late 15th century, running from April 8 to July 20, 2026. Titled "Martin Schongauer: Le bel immortel," the exhibition features approximately one hundred works, including his world-renowned engravings, rare paintings like the "Virgin in the Rose Garden," and intricate drawings. Curated by Pantxika Béguerie de Paepe and Hélène Grollemund, the show traces Schongauer’s evolution from a goldsmith’s son in Colmar to a master who bridged the gap between Gothic tradition and Renaissance innovation.
This exhibition is significant because it highlights Schongauer’s role as one of the most influential engravers in art history, whose technical precision with the burin set a new standard that deeply inspired Albrecht Dürer. By reuniting his graphic work with rare altarpieces and devotional panels, the Louvre provides a comprehensive look at how Schongauer’s visual language traveled across European borders. The project restores the legacy of a master who, despite being a household name among Renaissance scholars, remains relatively unknown to the broader public today.