Joachim and the Angel (recto); Three figures with loose draperies (verso, in upper right hand corner)
Original title: Joachim and the Angel (recto); Three figures with loose draperies (verso, in upper right hand corner)
kurzbeschreibung
This 1582 pen drawing by Anton Möller the Elder shows on its front the meeting of Joachim with an angel. In the upper right corner of the reverse are three figures in loose robes. The sheet was executed in black ink on paper.
Description
On the front, a winged angel stands on a tree trunk, wearing a garment with a chain or clasp; his gaze is directed downward. A landscape with trees, a lake and a town forms the background. The reverse shows three figures in traditional clothing interacting in a setting with trees and sheep. The entire view remains black and white, as is typical for a pen drawing.
Context
Anton Möller the Elder, a German painter and draughtsman of the Renaissance, was mainly active in Danzig. The sheet from 1582 belongs to a group of works with biblical scenes. The reverse with the three figures could be a study or a design for a larger work.
Impact
The fine stroke and the thoughtful pictorial structure give the sheet a calm, narrative effect. Contours and details of figures and landscape stand out clearly through the black-and-white scheme.
Technique
Drawn with pen and black ink on paper. This method allows precise lines and shading, as are characteristic of the Renaissance.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)