Who painted A Boy on a Sled?

A Boy on a Sled was painted by Jost Amman in 1564.

Where can I see A Boy on a Sled?

A Boy on a Sled is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is A Boy on a Sled?

A Boy on a Sled is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of A Boy on a Sled?

Museum-quality prints of A Boy on a Sled are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

A Boy on a Sled

Jost Amman , 1564

A Boy on a Sled is an ink drawing by the Renaissance artist Jost Amman. It dates from 1564 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Jost Amman’s drawing titled A Boy on a Sled dates from around 1564. Executed on laid paper, the work combines pen and black ink with delicate washes of brown, blue and pink. The composition captures a youthful figure in motion, rendered with the precise line work characteristic of Amman’s prints and drawings.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts a young boy seated on a wooden sled, poised as if about to glide down a slope. While the scene appears straightforward, it reflects the everyday leisure activities of the 16th‑century German countryside, offering a glimpse into the social customs surrounding childhood recreation.

Technique & Style

Amman employs fine pen lines to define the figure and sled, while washes of muted brown, soft blue and pale pink provide subtle shading and atmospheric depth. The laid paper surface enhances the texture of the ink work, and the restrained palette underscores the drawing’s observational quality rather than decorative excess.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1564, the drawing belongs to the period when Amman was active as an illustrator for book publishers in Basel and Nuremberg. The work has remained in private collections before entering a museum holding of Northern Renaissance drawings, where it is catalogued as a representative example of Amman’s secular subjects.

Context

During the mid‑16th century, Amman was renowned for his detailed woodcuts and book illustrations, often portraying everyday life, tradespeople, and seasonal activities. A Boy on a Sled aligns with this interest in genre scenes, illustrating a moment of childhood play that would have been familiar to contemporary viewers.