Drie rennende vrouwen

About this artwork

beeld: hoogte 278 mm x breedte 190 mm

Art Historical Context

**Drie rennende vrouwenThree Running Women)** Jan van Scorel, 1540–1545, Ink or chalk on paper, 278 × 190 mm* Jan van Scorel, a pioneering Dutch artist of the Northern Renaissance, created this lively drawing during the 1540s, a period when he bridged Italian Renaissance ideals with Northern European traditions. Having traveled to Rome in the 1520s, Scorel absorbed influences from masters like Raphael and, introducing graceful anatomy and dynamic poses to the Netherlands. "Drie rennende vrouwen," depicting three female figures in motion, exemplifies his skill in figure studies—likely a preparatory sketch for larger paintings or altarpieces common in his Utrecht workshop. Rendered on paper in a compact format, the work highlights Scorel's precise line work and understanding of movement, characteristic of Renaissance draftsmanship. Such studies were innovative in the North, where artists increasingly drew from live models or classical sources to capture energy and proportion. The running women evoke classical mythology or allegorical themes, reflecting the era's humanist revival. This intimate drawing offers a glimpse into Scorel's studio practice, underscoring his role as a teacher to later Mannerists like Maarten van Heemskerck. Visitors will appreciate its energetic lines, a testament to the Renaissance pursuit of ideal beauty in motion. (198 words)

About the Artist

Jan van Scorel · 1495–1562

Comment on works: Religious