The artwork “Arm of Eve” is a sketch created by the artist Albrecht Dürer in 1507. This piece is characteristic of the Northern Renaissance art movement and falls into the genre of sketch and study. The artwork currently resides in the Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) located in Cleveland, Ohio, United States.
As for the sketch itself, it depicts a detailed study of a human arm, extended upward and slightly bent at the elbow, holding a spherical object that could be interpreted as a fruit, likely representing the biblical fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, as suggested by the title “Arm of Eve.” The level of detail in the musculature and the fine rendering of the skin texture underscore Dürer’s masterful handling of the human form and his adept skill in conveying realism and depth. The chiaroscuro technique, using the contrast of light and shadow, adds volume and dimension to the arm, emphasizing the anatomical precision for which Dürer is renowned. The date “1507” and Dürer’s monogram, “AD,” are inscribed near the top right of the sketch, serving as his signature.
