Who painted Seated Old Woman?

Seated Old Woman was painted by Paula Modersohn-Becker in 1900.

Where can I see Seated Old Woman?

Seated Old Woman is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Seated Old Woman?

Seated Old Woman is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Seated Old Woman

Paula Modersohn-Becker , 1900

Seated Old Woman is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Paula Modersohn-Becker. It dates from 1900 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Executed in etching combined with aquatint on buff‑coloured wove paper, the work measures a modest size typical of early 20th‑century printmaking.

Created circa 1900, *Seated Old Woman* is a print by German artist Paula Modersohn‑Becker. Executed in etching combined with aquatint on buff‑coloured wove paper, the work measures a modest size typical of early 20th‑century printmaking. It reflects Modersohn‑Becker’s involvement in the nascent Expressionist movement, where she explored psychological depth through simplified forms and tonal contrast.

Subject & Meaning

The image presents an elderly woman seated upright, her hands resting lightly on her lap. She is dressed in a dark, long garment and a modest headscarf, while a woven basket of fruit lies at her feet. The surrounding interior—a dimly lit, cluttered room with shelves and a window—suggests a private, domestic setting, inviting contemplation of age, routine, and quiet dignity.

Technique & Style

Modersohn‑Becker employed traditional etching to delineate fine lines, then applied aquatint to achieve smooth, graduated tones that model the folds of clothing, hair texture, and atmospheric background. The interplay of crisp linear marks and soft tonal washes creates a muted palette, emphasizing the figure’s presence while allowing the surrounding space to recede, a hallmark of early Expressionist print aesthetics.

History & Provenance

The print dates to the turn of the century, a period when Modersohn‑Becker was establishing her reputation as a pioneering female voice in German art. Although specific ownership records are scarce, the work is catalogued among her limited series of prints, which were produced alongside her prolific paintings and drawings during her brief but influential career before her death in 1907.

Artist & collection

Artist

Paula Modersohn-Becker

Paula Modersohn-Becker (8 February 1876 – 20 November 1907) was a German Expressionist painter and draftswoman of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.