Gammel kone 1897

Frans Schwartz's "Gammel kone" (Old Woman) is a poignant etching created in 1897. The artwork, housed at the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst, depicts a close-up portrait of an elderly woman, her face etched with the lines of a long life. The artist uses a dark, shadowy background to contrast with the detailed rendering of the woman's features, emphasizing the wrinkles, loose skin, and heavy eyelids, conveying a sense of time and experience. The work reflects Schwartz's interest in capturing the raw beauty and vulnerability of everyday people. This intimate portrayal, executed with meticulous hatching, engages viewers with the fragility and dignity of old age.