Twee armen van een vrouw

About this artwork

Aankoop uit het J.W. Edwin Vom Rath Fonds/Rijksmuseum Fonds

Art Historical Context

"Two Arms of a Woman" (*Twee armen van een vrouw*) is delicate drawing by Paris Bordone, a prominent Venetian Renaissance painter active in the 16th century (c. 1500–1571). Bordone, influenced by masters like Titian and Giorg, bridged High Renaissance ideals with emerging Mannerist elegance in his portraits and mythological scenes. This small-scale study on paper (159 × 199 mm) captures the graceful anatomy of a woman's arms, showcasing the artist's meticulous attention to form and proportion—a hallmark of Venetian draftsmanship used for preparing larger oil paintings. Such preparatory sketches were vital in the Renaissance workshop, allowing artists to refine human figures before committing to canvas. Bordone's fluid lines and subtle shading here highlight his skill in rendering soft contours and musculature, reflecting the era's fascination with idealized beauty and classical anatomy inspired by ancient sculpture. Though fragmentary, it offers an intimate glimpse into creative process of a key figure in Venice's vibrant art scene. Acquired through the J.W. Edwin Vom Rath Fonds and Rijksmuseum Fonds, this work now enriches the Rijksmuseum's collection, underscoring the enduring value of Old Master drawings in preserving artistic techniques from the cusp of the Baroque. Visitors will appreciate its quiet elegance as a window into 16th-century innovation.