# The First Foolish Virgin

- By: Martin Schongauer (German, c. 1430/50-1491)
- Date: 1480-91
- Medium: Engraving on paper
- Classification: Print
- Dimensions: 12.3 × 8.7 cm (4 7/8 × 3 7/16 in.)
- Culture: Germany
- Credit line: Bequest of Mrs. Potter Palmer, Jr.
- Museum: [Art Institute of Chicago](https://www.artic.edu/artworks/3971)
- Rights: [Public domain (CC0)](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- Picture: https://www.artic.edu/iiif/2/97f2ef4f-d52d-c41e-787f-d654075876c2/full/!1920,1080/0/default.jpg
- Who can see it: Tweens profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

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.

Description © Art Institute of Chicago, CC BY 4.0