Artwork
Dancing Couple
Dancing Couple is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Heinrich Aldegrever. It dates from 1551 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Dancing Couple is a 1551 engraving by Heinrich Aldegrever, a German artist associated with the 'Little Masters' group, known for small-scale, intricately detailed prints.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving captures a joyful, carefree moment as a finely dressed couple dances together, offering a glimpse into 16th-century attire and leisure activities.
Technique & Style
Characteristic of Aldegrever's craftsmanship, the work features fine details, with the woman's flowing skirt and the man's tilted hat conveying dynamic movement in a small format, reflecting the 'Little Masters' style.
History & Provenance
Created in 1551, the engraving follows the artistic legacy of Albrecht Dürer, positioning Aldegrever within a generation of engravers who specialized in detailed, small-scale prints.
Artist & collection
Artist
Heinrich Aldegrever or Aldegraf was a German painter and engraver. He was one of the "Little Masters", the group of German artists making small old master prints in the generation after Albrecht Dürer.
