Die betende nonne (The Praying Nun)
1801 to 1825
Medium
etching on wove paper
Dimensions
plate: 30.6 x 23.3 cm (12 1/16 x 9 3/16 in.) sheet: 37.7 x 30.3 cm (14 13/16 x 11 15/16 in.)
Classification
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund
Accession Number
1996.9.4
Art Historical Context
Johann Wilhelm Schirmer’s etching *Die betende Nonne (The Praying Nun)* captures a moment of quiet devotion. Created between 1801 and 1825, the print depicts a nun in prayer, inviting viewers to reflect on themes of faith and introspection that resonated strongly in early nineteenth-century Europe. Schirmer, a German artist known for his sensitive landscapes and genre scenes, used the etching medium to convey both spiritual intimacy and delicate detail. Etching on wove paper allowed Schirmer to achieve fine lines and subtle tonal variations, techniques that were especially valued for reproduc...