Artwork
Portrait of an Old Peasant Woman, in Profile to the Right
Portrait of an Old Peasant Woman, in Profile to the Right is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Wilhelm Leibl. It dates from 1874 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Wilhelm Leibl’s 1874 etching, titled Portrait of an Old Peasant Woman, in Profile to the Right, is part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington. Executed as a print, the work captures a solitary figure in a restrained, monochrome composition.
Subject & Meaning
The image shows an elderly peasant woman seen in right‑hand profile. Her face is marked by deep lines, suggesting a life of labor, while a dark cap and shawl conceal her hair and shoulders. The quiet, introspective pose conveys a sense of dignity amid hardship.
Technique & Style
Leibl employs fine cross‑hatching to model the woman’s features, creating subtle gradations of light and shadow. The contrast between the light background and the darker clothing emphasizes the contours of the face, while the textured lines give the surface a tactile quality.
History & Provenance
Created in 1874, the etching entered the National Gallery of Art’s holdings at an unspecified date. It remains one of the few printed works by Leibl held in a major American institution.
Context
Leibl, known primarily for his realist paintings, explored printmaking in the 1870s, focusing on everyday subjects. This portrait reflects his interest in portraying ordinary people with unembellished honesty, aligning with the broader realist movement of the period.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
