Artwork
The flown bird: allegory on the loss of virginity
The flown bird: allegory on the loss of virginity is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Frans van Mieris the Elder. It is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
The Flown Bird: Allegory on the Loss of Virginity is a 1688 oil painting by Frans van Mieris the Elder, a Dutch Golden Age artist from Leiden.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a woman seated with a small open box, her expression and posture suggesting secrecy. The scene is allegorical, conveying a narrative beyond its literal representation.
Technique & Style
Van Mieris's use of chiaroscuro creates a three-dimensional effect, with light and dark shapes defining the subject's form. The artist's attention to detail and rendering of textures contribute to the overall sense of depth and realism.
History & Provenance
The painting is part of the Rijksmuseum collection. It was created by Frans van Mieris the Elder, a member of a prominent family of Dutch painters.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Frans van Mieris the Elder (16 April 1635 – 12 March 1681), was a Dutch Golden Age genre and portrait painter.
