1540
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Lady and the Fool is a 1540 ink by Sebald Beham, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image shows a woman in a long, flowing dress holding a fan. Behind her, a jester with a hat and bells leans against a tree. The scene has tall grass, a potted plant, and a small birdhouse. The lines are sharp and detailed, with no color—just black and white. The woman’s dress has intricate folds, and the jester’s face looks playful. This is an old print, not a painting, made by pressing ink into metal. Next, look up etching to see how this technique works.
Sebald Beham (1500–1550) was a German painter and printmaker, mainly known for his very small engravings.
See the richer artist page
