Artwork
Burgomaster Hasselaar and His Wife
Burgomaster Hasselaar and His Wife is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Gerrit Dou. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Brooklyn Museum.
About this work
Overview
Burgomaster Hasselaar and His Wife is a painting by Gerrit Dou, a Dutch painter active in the 17th century. Created around 1650, it is an oil painting that exemplifies Dou's skill in capturing detailed scenes.
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows a formally dressed couple in a domestic interior. The man, seated in a wooden chair, and the woman, standing beside him, are engaged in a quiet, dignified scene. A large open book on a table between them suggests a connection to reading or scholarship.
Technique & Style
Dou's work is characterized by precise brushwork and subtle use of light. As a member of the Leiden fijnschilders, he was known for finely executed paintings. The scene's formal atmosphere is enhanced by the detailed rendering of the couple's clothing and the surrounding interior.
History & Provenance
The painting is part of the Brooklyn Museum's collection. Gerrit Dou was a student of Rembrandt, indicating his work was influenced by prominent figures of the Dutch Golden Age.
Artist & collection
Artist
Gerrit Dou (pronounced ; 7 April 1613 – 9 February 1675), also known as Gerard Douw or Dow, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, whose small, highly polished paintings are typical of the Leiden fijnschilders.
