An Old Woman and a Young Man 1515 - 1586

"An Old Woman and a Young Man" is a 16th-century etching by Lucas Cranach the Elder, a renowned German Renaissance artist. The piece depicts a young man, possibly a suitor, reaching out to an older woman with a ring, while she gazes upwards with a sly smile. The contrast between their ages and expressions adds a layer of intrigue to the piece, hinting at a possible social commentary on courtship and marriage during the era. This etching, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcases Cranach’s masterful handling of line and detail, capturing the intricate folds of their clothing and the subtle nuances of their expressions.