Archduchess Elisabeth of Austria

1572

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Dominant colour

Archduchess Elisabeth of Austria is a 1572 by Jooris van der Straeten, a Renaissance work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Jooris van der Straeten
When & what style?: 1572 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This drawing shows a woman with pale skin and a high, white collar. Her hair is pulled back into a bun with a few strands framing her face. She wears a beaded necklace that sits just above her collarbone. The paper looks yellowed, and the lines are soft, almost sketchy. The artist focused on her face and hands, leaving the rest simple. This style was common in portraits from that time. Next, look up the Renaissance to see how this drawing fits into its era.