The Düsseldorf coloured drawing of the Dulle Griet was examined at the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage (KIK-IRPA) in Brussels in collaboration with the Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf, using infrared reflectography, infrared photography,... more
The Düsseldorf coloured drawing of the Dulle
Griet was examined at the Royal Institute for Cultural
Heritage (KIK-IRPA) in Brussels in collaboration with
the Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf, using infrared reflectography,
infrared photography, transmitted light photography,
macro-XRF and micro-Raman spectroscopy.
The study of the paper revealed the watermark of
Niklaus Heusler, a Basel paper manufacturer, giving 1578
as the earliest possible execution date for the drawing,
and thus confirming its status as a copy. Examination
and analysis of the colours suggest that they are most
likely original. Various hypotheses are proposed as to
the drawing’s original function, attribution and context,
taking into account the early history of Bruegel’s Dulle
Griet. Thanks to its early dating, the drawing is a key
witness to the appearance of the Dulle Griet painting
at an early stage in its history, and as such it provided
fundamental help during the conservation campaign.
Certain colours and motifs that have altered over time
in the painting remain more legible in the drawing.
Griet was examined at the Royal Institute for Cultural
Heritage (KIK-IRPA) in Brussels in collaboration with
the Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf, using infrared reflectography,
infrared photography, transmitted light photography,
macro-XRF and micro-Raman spectroscopy.
The study of the paper revealed the watermark of
Niklaus Heusler, a Basel paper manufacturer, giving 1578
as the earliest possible execution date for the drawing,
and thus confirming its status as a copy. Examination
and analysis of the colours suggest that they are most
likely original. Various hypotheses are proposed as to
the drawing’s original function, attribution and context,
taking into account the early history of Bruegel’s Dulle
Griet. Thanks to its early dating, the drawing is a key
witness to the appearance of the Dulle Griet painting
at an early stage in its history, and as such it provided
fundamental help during the conservation campaign.
Certain colours and motifs that have altered over time
in the painting remain more legible in the drawing.
