Standing Woman
Original title: Standing Woman
kurzbeschreibung
Lucas Cranach the Elder made this pen-and-ink drawing, Stehende Frau, around 1505–10. It shows a woman standing upright in traditional dress, surrounded by a wreath of leaves and blossoms in the background.
Description
She wears a long-sleeved dress and a shawl or wrap draped over her shoulders. An elaborate hairband with leaves and flowers adorns her head, and her gaze turns slightly to the left. The background stays minimal, with stylized leaves and tendrils in the lower area. The drawing is in black and white, with fine contours and hatching for shading.
Context
The sheet dates from Cranach's early period, when he was active in Vienna. Studies of standing figures like this one often served as models for paintings or prints. The traditional clothing and leafy ornament might point to an allegorical or mythological meaning, as was common in the Renaissance.
Impact
The precise lines and the figure's calm, upright posture give the sheet a dignified yet delicate presence. The ornamental frame of leaves and flowers creates a harmonious balance between figure and setting.
Technique
Executed in pen and ink, the work allows for fine and detailed linework. Shading comes from dense hatching that gives the figure volume. The small dimensions suggest a careful, intimate working method.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)