Artwork
A Glass Of Lemonade
A Glass Of Lemonade is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Gerard ter Borch. It dates from 1666 and is held in the collection of the Walters Art Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1666, *A Glass of Lemonade* is an oil painting by Dutch artist Gerard ter Borch. The work depicts a quiet domestic scene illuminated by subdued lighting, characteristic of the artist’s focus on interior genre subjects. It is part of the collection of the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore.
Subject & Meaning
The restrained setting and gentle interaction suggest a moment of private leisure, emphasizing the subtle social dynamics of 17th‑century Dutch household life.
The composition features three figures: a young man seated with a glass of lemonade in his right hand and a spoon in his left, a woman seated beside him in a white dress and black headscarf, and a second woman standing behind them in a brown dress and white headscarf. The restrained setting and gentle interaction suggest a moment of private leisure, emphasizing the subtle social dynamics of 17th‑century Dutch household life.
Technique & Style
Ter Borch employs a restrained palette and careful chiaroscuro to model the figures against a dimly lit interior. The soft transitions of light across fabrics and the reflective surface of the glass demonstrate his skill in rendering texture and material. The composition’s balance and the quiet atmosphere reflect the artist’s mature approach to genre painting.
History & Provenance
Painted during the height of the Dutch Golden Age, the work exemplifies the period’s interest in everyday scenes and refined domestic interiors. After remaining in private hands for several centuries, *A Glass of Lemonade* entered the Walters Art Museum’s collection, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s European paintings holdings.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Gerard ter Borch (Dutch: ; December 1617 – 8 December 1681), also known as Gerard Terburg (Dutch: ), was a Dutch Golden Age painter mainly of genre subjects.
