An old woman with clenched fists 1786

"An Old Woman with Clenched Fists" is an etching created in 1786 by Austrian artist Adam von Bartsch (1757–1821). The work, which is now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, is a study of a woman's expressive hands and her weathered features, captured in meticulous detail. The piece, a prime example of Neoclassical portraiture, showcases Bartsch's skilled mastery of line and shading, demonstrating the artist's keen observation of human anatomy and the power of the human form. The etching's focus on the subject's hands and the intensity of her gaze contribute to a sense of quiet power and resilience, making it a compelling study of aging and human strength.