Dagger Sheath with Nude Woman

Heinrich Aldegrever

National Gallery of Art

The image shows a full-length depiction of a nude human figure standing upright. The person is positioned in a contrapposto stance, with weight primarily on one leg and the other relaxed. Their head is slightly turned to the left, revealing a profile view of their face featuring classical European sculptural attributes such as a defined nose and lips. The figure's hair is flowing with soft, wavy lines, adding a sense of motion. The subject holds a draped fabric in one hand, partially covering the body. The background above the figure shows a pattern resembling smoke or clouds. The lower portion of the image features an intricate floral design with detailed leaves and blossoms arranged vertically. In the top right corner, a square with stylized initials is present. The entire scene is framed within a narrow, decorative elongated panel.