1552
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Modesty is a 1552 by Heinrich Aldegrever, a Northern Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This etching shows a woman holding a tall spear with both hands. She wears a flowing robe and stands on a rocky shore, where small figures and a ship are visible in the background. To her left, a round shield shows a scene of people and a building. On the right, a winged figure rises from a rocky base, holding a scroll. The woman’s face looks calm, but her pose feels tense—like she’s ready for action. The Latin text at the bottom hints at a deeper meaning, likely about pride or caution. Next, look up Renaissance to see how artists used symbols like these to tell stories.
Heinrich Aldegrever or Aldegraf was a German painter and engraver. He was one of the "Little Masters", the group of German artists making small old master prints in the generation after Albrecht Dürer.
See the richer artist page
