Select the painting to see it full screen and zoom in.
What the painting shows
Study of a Nude Old Woman Clenching Her Fists by Klimt shows an elderly female figure drawn in graphite on pale paper. The woman stands bent forward at the waist, leaning heavily over herself with both fists clenched and held tightly against her chest or chin. Her head droops down, hiding her facial features while accentuating the bony curve of her neck, back, and spine.
Klimt sketched the figure in profile facing left, with legs slightly bent at the knees. Light, overlapping pencil strokes suggest adjustments to the placement of her feet, knees, and torso. To the right of the main figure, two separate sketches appear on the paper: an upright rectangular study at the upper right, and a horizontal ornamental design lower down. Klimt’s signature appears in block capital letters near the lower right corner.
The story behind it
Klimt drew this sheet around 1901. It belongs to his extensive graphic work and studies, which you can explore across our catalog of drawings. During this period, Klimt produced numerous preparatory sketches from live models, studying poses and physical anatomy before working them into his larger compositions. You can trace how his preparatory sketches developed into finished works by browsing every Klimt painting from his career.
Where to see it
Study of a Nude Old Woman Clenching Her Fists is in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., cataloged under accession number NGA 53826.
Questions about Study of a Nude Old Woman Clenching Her Fists
Where is Study of a Nude Old Woman Clenching Her Fists by Klimt?
Study of a Nude Old Woman Clenching Her Fists by Klimt is in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The museum lists the sheet under accession number NGA 53826. It remains among the graphic works preserved by the institution.
How big is Study of a Nude Old Woman Clenching Her Fists by Klimt?
Study of a Nude Old Woman Clenching Her Fists by Klimt measures 42.7 centimeters in height by 30.5 centimeters in width. Drawn on a single upright sheet of paper, the full figure dominates the left side of the vertical composition, alongside smaller marginal pencil sketches.
