Portrait of an old woman in profile to the left 1516

Hans Schäufelein rendered this portrait of an old woman in profile to the left around 1516, using black chalk. Considered one of the most interesting draftsmen of the German Renaissance, Schäufelein offers us a glimpse into the lives of those often overlooked. This portrait is striking because it’s not an idealized or allegorical depiction of aging, but rather an intimate portrayal of an individual woman. The work humanizes aging and invites viewers to contemplate the lived experiences etched onto her face. The woman’s weathered features and the somber expression in her eyes tell a story of hardship, resilience, and survival in a society where older women often faced marginalization. Perhaps what is most poignant is how the woman’s eyes look away, inviting a moment of reflection on the weight of societal expectations and personal histories.