Woman Looking Up 1514

Matthias Grünewald created this drawing, Woman Looking Up, sometime in the early 16th century. As a leading artist during the German Renaissance, his art existed in the maelstrom of religious and social upheaval incited by the Reformation. But what does it mean to look up, as this woman does? Her gaze evokes a sense of hope, a longing for something beyond the immediate, but what shapes this desire? Notice the lines of her clothing which suggest a certain modesty, and the way her hands are clasped, perhaps in prayer. In her, we see the quiet strength of a woman connected to something greater than herself. Grünewald was deeply spiritual and his works often explored themes of redemption and salvation. This drawing reflects both the personal devotion and the broader societal yearning for meaning during a time of great change. What do you think she sees?