A peasant and three bustlength figures (1480 – 1515) by Hieronymus Bosch

A peasant and three bustlength figures - Hieronymus Bosch - 1480 - 1515

Artwork Information

TitleA peasant and three bustlength figures
ArtistHieronymus Bosch
Date1480 - 1515
Art MovementNorthern Renaissance
Current LocationKupferstichkabinett Berlin, Berlin, Germany

About A peasant and three bustlength figures

Created by Hieronymus Bosch between 1480 and 1515, the artwork titled “A peasant and three bust-length figures” is a part of the Northern Renaissance art movement and classified as a sketch and study. The sketch is housed in the Kupferstichkabinett Berlin located in Berlin, Germany. This piece reflects Bosch’s detailed study of human figures and his skillful handling of drawing, which is characteristic of his work and the broader Northern Renaissance.

The artwork depicts four figures, likely sketched with black chalk. The most prominent figure is a full-length profile of a peasant shown from the side. He is posed walking to the left and appears to be wearing a hat, a cloak over his shoulders, and typical garb of the time, including breeches and a tunic. He seems engaged in an activity, as he is grasping something in his hand—possibly a walking stick or some tool.

Behind and above the peasant, we see the lightly sketched bust of another figure, possibly male, wearing a brimmed hat and also looking toward the left. Below him, on the right side of the sketch, are two additional bust-length figures. The upper one is less detailed, possibly indicative of a female due to the longer hair and slight impression of garments. The lower and final figure has more defined facial features and hairstyle, suggesting a youthful male subject looking toward the observer. Cap and attire details denote a different style, with a feathered cap and a decorative garment.

The figures are rendered with variations in shading, emphasizing the volume and contours of their clothing and features, common in preliminary works where an artist explores form and posture. The asymmetrical and fragmentary shape of the paper suggests this sheet may have been part of a larger collection of studies.

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