Artwork
Woman at a Window with a Copper Bowl of Apples and a Cock Pheasant
Woman at a Window with a Copper Bowl of Apples and a Cock Pheasant is an oil painting by Gerrit Dou. It dates from 1663 and is held in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum.
About this work
Overview
Woman at a Window with a Copper Bowl of Apples and a Cock Pheasant is a 1663 oil painting by Gerrit Dou, a prominent figure in the Dutch Golden Age. Characterized by its small scale and high polish, the work exemplifies the meticulous style of the Leiden fijnschilders.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a serene domestic scene: a woman in light blue and red attire sits by a window, accompanied by a copper bowl of apples and a cock pheasant on the sill. The composition conveys a sense of quiet contemplation.
Technique & Style
Dou employs chiaroscuro to create a soft, focused ambiance, with deep shadows contrasting the gentle light streaming through the window. The artist meticulously renders textures and the play of light on the copper bowl and the subject's face.
History & Provenance
Created in 1663 by Gerrit Dou, a student of Rembrandt, the painting is now part of the Fitzwilliam Museum's collection.
Context
As a member of the Leiden fijnschilders, Dou's work reflects the group's emphasis on refined technique and detailed craftsmanship, distinguishing it within the broader Dutch Golden Age movement.
Legacy
This work showcases Dou's contribution to the development of highly polished, small-scale genre paintings, influencing the perception of domestic scenes in Dutch art.
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.
