Woman and Death
1580
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1580
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Woman and Death is a 1580 ink by Franz Brun, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving depicts a woman in a long dress, holding an hourglass in her right hand and a rose in her left. She is adorned with a chain around her neck and a hat on her head. Beside her stands a skeleton, its right arm wrapped around her waist. The woman's attire and the presence of the hourglass and rose suggest a connection to the transience of life. The skeleton, embracing the woman, adds a sense of mortality to the scene. The overall atmosphere is one of contemplation and reflection. To learn more about the Renaissance movement, which influenced this artwork, explore the Renaissance movement.
