Artwork Page for Three Studies of a Woman Wearing an Elaborate Headdress

Details / Information for Three Studies of a Woman Wearing an Elaborate Headdress

Three Studies of a Woman Wearing an Elaborate Headdress

c. 1500

Anonymous

retouched by Peter Paul Rubens

(Flemish, 1577–1640)
Culture
Netherlands(?), 16th century
Medium
Pen and brown ink; retouched with brush and brown wash, lead white (partially oxidized)
Support
Beige(1) laid paper
Measurements
Sheet: 12.9 x 12.8 cm (5 1/16 x 5 1/16 in.)
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund 1987.31
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print
?

Did You Know?

In the 1600s, the artist Peter Paul Rubens made additions in ink wash and white paint to this c. 1500 drawing by an unknown Netherlandish artist.

Description

This young woman’s long, conical hood is tucked under and pinned, with the front folded over to create wide, sloping flaps. Such headgear kept heat and cold away during outdoor labor, but around 1475, the style was adopted as a fashion statement by middle- and upper-class women, with the fabric starched for exaggerated effect. The drawing was likely made for a model book in an artist’s workshop of costume details for reference. More than 100 years later, the Antwerp artist Rubens acquired the drawing for his own model book and even drew over it.
A vertically oriented pen and ink drawing on light brown paper depicts three views of a woman with light skin wearing a wide, folded headdress. At the top center, she faces forward with downcast eyes. On the lower left, she appears in profile. On the lower right, she is shown from behind. Fine brown hatching and cross-hatching define the figures, creating shadow against the speckled surface of the paper.

Three Studies of a Woman Wearing an Elaborate Headdress

c. 1500

Anonymous, Peter Paul Rubens

(Flemish, 1577–1640)
Netherlands(?), 16th century

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Shop the CMA Store

Shop More Art

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork