Oude man in lang gewaad

About this artwork

height 82 mm x width 42 mm

Art Historical Context

This delicate pen drawing by Adam Elsheimer captures an elderly figure draped in flowing robes, rendered with remarkable economy on a surface measuring just 82 by 42 millimeters. Created sometime between 1588 and 1610, the work exemplifies the intimate scale that characterized much of Elsheimer’s output. Despite its modest size, the drawing conveys a quiet dignity, inviting close inspection of the subtle folds and stance that suggest both age and contemplation. Elsheimer, active during the transition from late Mannerism to the early Baroque, often explored biblical and everyday subjects through small-format works. Here the choice of pen allows for crisp, economical lines that define form without excess detail. Such compact drawings were frequently used as studies or personal explorations, reflecting the artist’s interest in capturing human presence with minimal means. The extreme dimensions underscore the piece’s function as an object meant for private viewing rather than public display, highlighting how artists of the period valued precision and restraint. Visitors can appreciate how Elsheimer transformed a simple subject into a study of character and texture within such limited space.

About the Artist

Adam Elsheimer · 1578–1610

Elsheimer's meticulously detailed small paintings on copper would establish him as the most influential artist to follow Albrecht Dürer. He most likely arrived in Italy ca. 1598, where he quite possibly was associated with Hans Rottenhammer, and then moved to Rome in 1600, where he remained until his death. Comment on works: Landscapes; Religious.