Artwork

Mädel mit Waldholz (Peasant Girl Carrying Wood)

Mädel mit Waldholz (Peasant Girl Carrying Wood), by Catherine Brandinn, ink, 1775
Mädel mit Waldholz (Peasant Girl Carrying Wood), by Catherine Brandinn, ink, 1775

Mädel mit Waldholz (Peasant Girl Carrying Wood) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Catherine Brandinn. It dates from 1775 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Mädel mit Waldholz (Peasant Girl Carrying Wood) is a 1775 engraving with etching on laid paper by Catherine Brandinn, depicting a peasant girl burdened by a large bundle of wood in a rugged landscape.

Subject & Meaning

The print portrays a young peasant girl walking barefoot, her head covered by a scarf, under the weight of a heavy wood bundle. The scene highlights her laborious daily life, emphasizing the hardships of rural labor through her posture and surroundings.

Technique & Style

The work features sharp, expressive lines that meticulously capture the textures of the girl's clothing, the wood, and the rocky terrain. Brandinn's use of fine lines, akin to pen sketching, achieves a high level of detail and realism.

History & Provenance

Created in 1775, specific details about the print's provenance and historical context beyond its creation date are not provided.

Context

While the artist's broader body of work and the specific inspirations for this piece are not detailed here, the subject matter reflects a focus on everyday rural life, a common theme in 18th-century European art.

Legacy

Information on the lasting impact, exhibitions, or notable ownership of Mädel mit Waldholz is not provided in the available details.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.