Dagger Sheath with the Whore of Babylon

Heinrich Aldegrever

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing featuring a vertical design with a nude female figure, ornate floral patterns, and a cherubic figure. The top section shows a nude female figure holding a chalice in her left hand, surrounded by a swirling, textured pattern. Below her is a decorative band and a symmetrical ornamentation of scrolls and foliage resembling an elaborate column. At the bottom, there is a cherubic figure holding up a circular object with outlined wings. The design is detailed and full of texture, created with a fine-line technique, focusing on human form and decorative arts in a compact composition.