Artwork
Two Women in Profile
Two Women in Profile is an ink print by the Baroque artist Edouard Eckman. It dates from 1621 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Edouard Eckman's 1621 woodcut, Two Women in Profile, depicts two female figures standing side by side, both facing left on a single sheet of laid paper.
Subject & Meaning
The two women are distinguished by their attire: the left figure wears a elaborate, wide-skirted dress and a tall, feather-adorned hat, while the right figure is clad in a long coat and a wide-brimmed hat, holding an unspecified object in her left hand. The contrast in their dress may imply differing social statuses or roles.
Technique & Style
Eckman employed simple, effective lines to render the folds of the women's clothing, characteristic of the woodcut medium. The clean, sharp quality of the image is a hallmark of woodcut technique, where images are carved into wood blocks before printing.
History & Provenance
Created in 1621, the woodcut's provenance history is not detailed here, though its existence on laid paper is noted. Further contextualization of its creation and ownership history is not provided.
Context
Produced during the early 17th century, this work reflects the prevailing woodcut style of the time, emphasizing clarity and line work. The depiction of everyday figures suggests an appeal to a broader audience, common in early modern European printmaking.
Artist & collection
