Flora (1626–88)
Original title: Flora
kurzbeschreibung
Between 1626 and 1688, Joachim von Sandrart produced this etching of Flora, presenting a woman as the embodiment of the goddess of flowers and spring. Rendered in black and white, the print shows the figure in a classical Baroque manner.
Description
A long, off-the-shoulder gown with gently undulating sleeves envelops the figure; her curly hair, partly tied back, falls long, and a veil drapes over her shoulder and arm. In her right hand she holds a flower or a small bunch of blossoms. Her gaze turns calmly and thoughtfully to the side. The arrangement is centralized, while fine lines and hatching bring out the texture of the clothing and the background.
Context
Joachim von Sandrart, a German painter, engraver, and art theorist of the Baroque, made this etching during a period when he was active in both Germany and the Netherlands. The motif of Flora was highly popular in Baroque art and often served as an allegory of fertility and beauty. An inscription at the lower margin gives the title and the artist's name.
Impact
The calm posture and pensive expression lend the figure elegance and a reflective note. Even lighting and fine hatching create a contemplative mood that invites lingering.
Technique
This sheet is an etching, an intaglio process in which the drawing is bitten into a metal plate with acid. The present version is the second state of two, indicating later revisions to the plate. The sheet has been trimmed to 25.4 × 18.9 cm, reducing the margins.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)