Badende vrouw c. 1506 - 1538

This is Albrecht Altdorfer’s "Bathing Woman," a small yet captivating etching. Here, the figure of a woman is depicted in a state of undress, seated beside what appears to be a fountain or spring. The flowing water has long been a symbol of purification and renewal, from ancient river cults to Christian baptismal rites. Water, a vital life force, echoes through artistic history as a visual metaphor for cleansing and rebirth, and is often linked to feminine symbols. Consider Botticelli’s Venus, born from the sea foam, or countless nymphs adorning fountains in classical art. In Altdorfer’s rendering, the woman’s posture and setting evoke a sense of introspection, a psychological immersion as profound as the physical act of bathing. Her downcast gaze and the surrounding water create a sense of solitude, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. The cyclical progression of symbols, and how they resurface and evolve, emphasizes the enduring power of these images to engage us across centuries.