Bust of a Young Woman
Original title: Bust of a Young Woman
kurzbeschreibung
Hans Baldung, also known as Hans Baldung Grien, made the charcoal drawing 'Bust of a Young Woman' between 1500 and 1545. On the paper, a young woman appears in profile, from the chest upward, wearing a hairband and earrings.
Description
A young woman is shown in profile. Her hair is gathered into a knot and held by a hairband. Earrings are visible in profile. The sheet is limited to head and chest; the background remains empty, so the figure stands out clearly. Black and white dominates the entire image, with fine charcoal strokes shaping facial features and hair texture.
Context
Hans Baldung Grien, a German Renaissance artist, was close to Albrecht Dürer. The drawing was made in the first half of the 16th century, when portraits and studies of female ideal types were in demand in art. Baldung left behind numerous drawings and paintings distinguished by a special sensitivity to female beauty and attention to detail. The exact function of this study is not recorded; it may have served as preparatory work for a painting or as an independent artwork.
Impact
Calm and concentrated, the sheet directs the gaze straight to the young woman's facial features. The fine charcoal strokes give the portrait an intimate, almost fragile grace. The reduction to essentials – the profile without distracting background elements – creates a timeless elegance.
Technique
Charcoal on paper, a medium that allows fine gradations and precise lines. The technique of charcoal drawing enables both delicate shading and strong contours, which Baldung uses to render facial features and hair texture vividly. The dimensions of about 26.5 x 16.6 cm suggest a compact, detailed study.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)