Description
Arm of Eve is the only surviving preparatory drawing for Dürer’s life-size panels of Adam and Eve in the Museo del Prado, Madrid. It is also one of the few surviving drawings by the artist made on Venetian blue paper, a support he began to use for his chiaroscuro studies while visiting Venice in the winter of 1506–7. With extraordinary economy of means, using only black and gray ink and a limited amount of wash and gouache for shading and heightening, Dürer suggested the grace and balance of the complete human form in this composition of a disembodied arm and hand. Such a study of a hand in ideal proportions cannot help but suggest the hand of the artist, a self-referential nod to his own abilities.
Provenance
Joseph Grünling (1875-1845), Vienna (Lugt 1107). (?-1818/23); Alfred Ritter von Franck (1808-1884), Vienna/Graz (Lugt 947) (?-1888); With Amsler & Ruthardt, Berlin (ca. 1884); Ferdinand Meder, New York; his sale "with Mr. C. Klackner", New York, 1888 (?-1888); Edward Habich (1818-1901), Kassel; his sale, Gutekunst-Auction, Stuttgart, 27 April 1899, lot 236; (?-1899); Graphische Sammlung Albertina, Vienna (property of Archduke Friedrich of Austria) (Lugt 174) (1899-1926); Eugene Meyer (1875-1959), Washington, DC (ca. 1926-ca. 1938); with Arthur H. Harlow & Co., New York (1938); with Walter Schatzki, New York; (1938); Frits Lugt (1884-1970), Paris/The Hague (1938-1965); with Richard H. Zinser, New York. (1965); Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1965-)
Accession Number
1965.470
Medium
point of brush and gray and black wash, brush and gray and black wash, heightened with white gouache
Dimensions
Sheet: 34.4 x 26.7 cm (13 9/16 x 10 1/2 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Credit Line
Gift of Alan Kennedy
