The artwork titled “Study sheet with Madonna and child, hand and sleeve” was created by the artist Albrecht Dürer between 1490 and 1494. It is associated with the Northern Renaissance art movement and encompasses the genre of sketch and study, showcasing the artist’s focus on detail and preparatory work in his artistic process.
The image features a delicate sketch primarily focused on the depiction of the Madonna holding the Christ Child. The figures of the Madonna and Child are rendered in a tender and intimate gesture with the Madonna looking down towards the Child, who appears to be in a serene state. The Madonna is depicted with a soft, gentle face, indicative of both maternal affection and quiet reverence.
To the left of the main sketch is a detailed study of a hand with the fingers gently bunched together facing downward. There is meticulous attention to the curves, folds, and shadows of the hand, emphasizing Dürer’s incredible skill in rendering human anatomy. The hand study is quite large in comparison to the figures, suggesting that it may have been intended to experiment with detail and proportion.
Near the sketch’s top, there’s also a study of a sleeve with elaborate folds and creases, demonstrating Dürer’s preoccupation with fabric and how it drapes over the form of the wearer. The observation of light and shadow within the sleeve study further indicates his exploration of texture and volume.
Overall, the artwork serves as an insightful display of the artist’s methodological approach to compositions, allowing us a glimpse into the meticulous preparatory stages that Renaissance artists such as Dürer would undertake before completing their masterpieces.
