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The image depicts a woman from the shoulders up, facing the viewer with a gentle expression. She has a subtle smile, serene countenance, fair complexion, and is wearing a traditional nun's headdress. The background is plain, emphasizing the subject.
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The image depicts a woman from the shoulders up, facing the viewer with a gentle expression. She has a subtle smile, serene countenance, fair complexion, and is wearing a traditional nun's headdress. The background is plain, emphasizing the subject.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

A Young Nun

Claude Mellan

Medium
graphite and black and red chalk on laid paper
Dimensions
overall: 21 x 15.1 cm (8 1/4 x 5 15/16 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
2006.45.1
Credit line
Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund
Time span
1551 to 1600
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • French
  • Costume
  • Female figure
Provenance

(C. G. Boerner, New York). (sale, Christie's New York, 24 January 2006, no. 37, as Florentine School, 18th century, via C. G. Boerner, New York); purchased 2006 by NGA.

Watermarks

rearing horse

NGA object ID 135463. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.