The Ugly Duchess
Quinten Metsys · 1513
Why it's great
An old woman with a wrinkled face, a big forehead, and a ridiculous headdress looks out of the picture. Quinten Metsys painted it in about 1513, and it is one of the best-known caricatures in art. It is said to have inspired the Duchess in Alice in Wonderland.
Where to see it
📍 National GalleryCity of Westminster, United Kingdom
Open in Maps ↗ About this museum →Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Quinten Metsys was a painter from Leuven, who worked in Antwerp. He made realistic scenes of everyday life, from moneylenders to funny old women, and helped make Antwerp a great art center. He died in 1530.
