Head of an Old Woman (Visscher's Mother)

About this work

This is a black-and-white portrait of an older woman’s face and shoulders. Her hat sits low, casting shadows over her forehead. One hand rests on her chest, while the other holds a small object—maybe a glove or a piece of cloth. The lines of her skin and the folds of her clothing are drawn with sharp, textured strokes. The artist used fine lines to show wrinkles and fabric, making the image feel almost three-dimensional. The text at the bottom names Cornelis de Visscher and mentions his mother as the subject. Next, look up etching to see how artists like this made detailed prints.