Female Nude Seen from Behind 1600 - 1615

This relief of a ‘Female Nude Seen from Behind’ was crafted by Albrecht Durer around 1509. It is rendered in subtle variations of color that give the piece a uniform and structured feel. The sculpture's composition is a study in contrasts. Notice how Durer has rendered the woman's back and the drape of the cloth with a keen eye for detail, yet also with an economy of line. This evokes a sense of classical sculpture. Durer uses the column both as a structural element and a symbolic one. The column suggests classical ideals of beauty and proportion. The female figure is positioned off-center, creating a dynamic tension within the frame. This arrangement serves to destabilize traditional notions of idealized beauty, inviting viewers to question conventional aesthetic standards. This work captures a moment of transition in art history.