Open full image Pin

Maria Markgräfin zu Brandenburg

Peter Gertner

1539

chalk

canvas

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Renaissance

Dominant colour

Maria Markgräfin zu Brandenburg is a 1539 chalk by Peter Gertner, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Peter Gertner
When & what style?: 1539 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This drawing shows a woman with a serious look, wearing a white hat with a feather and a high-necked dress. The background is plain black, so she stands out clearly. You can see the sketchy lines under her clothes, like the artist was drawing over an outline first. The face is painted in oil, while the rest looks like it was drawn with ink and chalk. This mix of techniques makes the portrait feel both finished and a little rough. Next, check out chiaroscuro to see how light and shadow create drama in art.