The Grotesque Old Woman Analysis

The Grotesque Old Woman, by Renaissance painter, Quinten Metsys illustrates an old and unattractive woman of the 16th century. Her voluptuous, weathered breasts are on displayed and her headdress is one of astute fashion of an earlier German period and her eloquent dress and corset are fashionable to Italy in this time period. Her aged hands hold a small and delicate red bud, a symbol of engagement, and her slightly lifted chin is of poised position. All of this beauty and detailed is over shadowed with the features of a rather controversial “ugliness.”

While the theories on the artist intent are of plenty, there is no mistaking that this piece provokes deeper contemplation on the depiction of beauty and the power of “ugly” imagery in this painting. One can argue that over vast time periods and amongst culture the defined interpretation of beauty has seen many profound depictions and interpretations displayed in infinite works of “beautiful” art. We must ask ourselves, can only works of “beauty” be aesthetically pleasing to the eye or can we find it in a variety of work through
He is perhaps challenging the viewer to see more that physical beauty but rather an internal need to be desired regardless of our outer shell or weathered state. He used detail and traditional symbolism of beauty in the clothing, headdress, the red rose, the seductive corset, and the lifted chin and soft eyes. Perhaps the timeless review and contemplation of intent was in fact Massys true intent of this piece, as it has withstood the test of time as a historically famous work of art. The initial dislike for the woman drew me in. The complexity of the painting made be find aesthetic beauty, and the content itself keeps me perplexing on the possibilities of intent. It is truly a respectable and intriguing display of art and