The Artist in His Studio 1636

"The Artist in His Studio" (1636) by Ruprecht Bartz, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, is a pen and ink drawing depicting a young artist working on a sketch of a nude model in his studio. The drawing is full of detail, from the tools of the artist's trade – a palette, brushes, and a drawing compass – to the artist's own attire and the cityscape glimpsed through the window. The artist's concentration is evident in his pose as he holds a mallet in one hand and a ruler in the other, demonstrating his mastery of perspective and anatomy. This self-portrait is a fascinating glimpse into the life of a young artist in 17th-century Germany.