Allegorical Figure Holding a Sphere

About this work

This is a black-and-white engraving of a winged woman holding a smooth, round ball. She’s dressed in flowing robes, her hair styled in soft curls. One arm rests on her hip, and her other hand grips the ball close to her chest. The background looks like a rough, textured wall, and her wings fan out behind her. The artist used fine lines and shading to give the figure depth, even though it’s just ink on paper. This kind of detailed linework is typical of Renaissance prints. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this made their marks.