Artwork

Erminia

Erminia, by Peter von Cornelius, ink, 1825
Erminia, by Peter von Cornelius, ink, 1825

Erminia is an ink drawing by the Romanticist artist Peter von Cornelius. It dates from 1825 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Erminia is a drawing created by Peter von Cornelius in 1825, exemplifying the artist's skill with pen, ink, and wash techniques on wove paper.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a woman in armor, likely Erminia, a character from Torquato Tasso's epic poem 'Jerusalem Delivered', shown in profile with a serene expression and intricate details on her armor and attire.

Technique & Style

Executed in pen and brown ink with gray wash over graphite, the work showcases Cornelius's adherence to the Nazarene style, characterized by detailed drawing and a focus on historical or literary subjects.

History & Provenance

Cornelius, a prominent figure in the Nazarene movement and uncle of composer Peter Cornelius, created this drawing in 1825, reflecting his expertise in religious and historical painting.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Peter von Cornelius

Artist

Peter von Cornelius

Peter von Cornelius (23 September 1783, Düsseldorf – 6 March 1867, Berlin) was a German painter and one of the main representatives of the Nazarene movement. He was the uncle of the composer Peter Cornelius (1824–1874).

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