Portrait of a Wife of An Unknown Stonemason 1505

Hans Holbein the Elder made this drawing of the "Portrait of a Wife of An Unknown Stonemason" using pen and brown ink on paper. The image creates meaning through its precise lines and understated naturalism which were typical of the German Renaissance in the early 16th century. The portrait captures the likeness of a woman from the artisan class, whose identity remains unknown, highlighting the importance of labor and craftsmanship in society. This work reflects a broader cultural interest in representing individuals from various social strata. To fully understand this drawing, one would need to delve into the economic structures and social hierarchies of the time, and into the history of artistic patronage, looking at archival records and other visual representations.