Artwork
Woman at a Mirror
Woman at a Mirror is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Gerard ter Borch. It dates from 1652 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Gerard ter Borch painted *Woman at a Mirror* in 1652, employing oil on canvas. The work is part of the Dutch Golden Age repertoire and is presently owned by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
Subject & Meaning
The composition shows a woman in a reflective silver dress seated beside a mirror, cradling a small portrait of a girl. A second girl with curly hair leans over the woman's shoulder, gazing at the miniature image, suggesting themes of familial intimacy and the act of looking.
Technique & Style
Ter Borch renders the dress with a polished, metallic sheen through meticulous, smooth brushwork that captures the texture of the fabric. The painting employs a strong contrast of light and dark, a chiaroscuro effect that models the figures against a dimly lit interior with dark walls and a red cushion.
History & Provenance
Since its creation, the painting has remained within Dutch collections, ultimately entering the Rijksmuseum’s holdings where it is displayed as part of the museum’s Dutch Golden Age holdings.
Context
Ter Borch’s oeuvre frequently explores quiet domestic scenes, focusing on subtle psychological interactions. This work aligns with his interest in interior genre subjects and anticipates the refined domestic interiors later portrayed by artists such as Johannes Vermeer.
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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.
