Artwork
Young Woman and Death
Young Woman and Death is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Master F.B.. It is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Young Woman and Death is an engraving executed by the anonymous Master F.B. around 1540. The print presents a solitary female figure standing beside a skeletal figure, both oriented toward the viewer. Rendered entirely in black and white, the composition balances the delicate attire of the woman with the starkness of the skeleton, creating a visual meditation on life's transience.
Subject & Meaning
In the image the young woman holds a flower in her right hand and an hourglass in her left, symbols traditionally linked to the fleeting nature of existence and the passage of time. The adjacent skeleton, partially cloaked, serves as a personification of death, confronting the viewer with the inevitability of mortality and inviting contemplation of human fragility.
Technique & Style
The print employs the Renaissance practice of fine cross‑hatching to model volume and texture, achieving subtle gradations of tone without color. Intricate line work defines the folds of the woman's gown, the delicate headpiece, and the skeletal anatomy, while the contrast between illuminated areas and deep shadows enhances the three‑dimensional illusion within the flat medium.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1540, the engraving is attributed to the enigmatic Master F.B., a figure known only through a handful of works bearing similar stylistic traits. The piece has circulated among private collections since the 17th century, later entering public holdings where it is cited as an example of Northern European printmaking that reflects contemporary preoccupations with memento mori themes.
Artist & collection
