Who painted Standing Woman Holding a Scroll?

Standing Woman Holding a Scroll was painted by Unknown in 1550.

Where can I see Standing Woman Holding a Scroll?

Standing Woman Holding a Scroll is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Standing Woman Holding a Scroll?

Standing Woman Holding a Scroll is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Standing Woman Holding a Scroll

Unknown , 1550

Standing Woman Holding a Scroll is a chalk drawing by the Renaissance artist Unknown. It dates from 1550 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Standing Woman Holding a Scroll is a drawing executed in 1550 by an Italian artist. Rendered on blue laid paper, the work combines brush and wash with white gouache applied over a black chalk underdrawing. The composition centers on a solitary female figure, presented in a simple, unadorned background that directs focus to her posture and the scroll she bears.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is depicted standing, her right arm raised to support a scroll held in her hand. Her hair falls loosely, and she wears a flowing robe that suggests a garment of soft fabric. The gesture and the presence of the scroll may allude to literacy, learning, or a narrative function, emphasizing the act of reading or recording.

Technique & Style

The artist employed swift brushstrokes, using a limited palette of brown tones for the underdrawing and white gouache for highlights. The black chalk underlayer defines the contours, while the blue tint of the paper intensifies the contrast of the dark lines. This combination yields a flat yet lively rendering, characteristic of mid‑sixteenth‑century Italian draftsmanship.

History & Provenance

Created in the mid‑16th century, the drawing reflects the period’s practice of using gouache for preparatory sketches and illustrative studies. Its provenance remains largely undocumented, with no recorded ownership changes. The work survives as a representative example of Italian drawing techniques from the 1550s, offering insight into the materials and methods of the era.