Woman Playing a Cittern c. 1770

"Woman Playing a Cittern" is a c. 1770 drawing by Nathaniel Dance-Holland, an English artist who was active during the 18th century. The drawing depicts a woman in a seated position, dressed in a fashionable gown and a hat with floral embellishments, as she plays a cittern, a plucked stringed instrument popular during the Renaissance. The work is notable for its delicate detail, capturing the soft folds of the woman’s dress and the intricate design of the cittern. Dance-Holland’s sketch may have been a study for a larger painting, showcasing his skill as a draftsman and offering a glimpse into the music and fashion of the era.