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Two Couples and a Fool

German 16th Century

1550

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Renaissance Allegory

Dominant colour

Two Couples and a Fool is a 1550 ink by German 16th Century, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: German 16th Century
When & what style?: 1550 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This engraving depicts four figures in an outdoor setting. Two men and two women are seated, engaged in conversation. The woman on the left wears a dress and a head covering, while the man beside her is attired in a hat and a long-sleeved shirt. The other couple is similarly dressed, with the man holding a sword at his side. A fool stands behind them, adding to the scene's intrigue. The engraving's level of detail is notable, with cross-hatching used to create texture and depth. The artist's use of shading adds volume to the figures, making them appear more lifelike. For more works from this period, explore the Renaissance movement.