A small boy's stomach, lap, leg and one hand with bracelet 1520 - 1525

This is a drawing by German Renaissance artist Hans Baldung, dating from 1520-1525. Depicting a portion of a seated figure - a small boy’s legs and stomach - the artwork is executed in delicate lines on a sheet of paper, typical of Baldung’s meticulous style. The focus on anatomical details and the simplified rendering of form point to the influence of the Italian High Renaissance, which Baldung studied during his travels. The drawing’s unusual subject matter reveals Baldung’s interest in both naturalism and the grotesque, characteristics that distinguish his work. The drawing, now in the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst collection, is a valuable glimpse into the artistic process of a master of the German Renaissance.