Artwork
'Differing tastes'
'Differing tastes' is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Godfried Schalcken. It dates from 1694 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1694 by Dutch artist Godfried Schalcken, this oil painting portrays an intimate interior scene illuminated by a single candle. Executed in the meticulous style of the Leiden fijnschilders, the work exemplifies the quiet, domestic subjects favored during the Dutch Golden Age. It is part of the Rijksmuseum’s permanent collection.
Subject & Meaning
At the center sits a young man in a green velvet coat, white ruffled collar, and matching hat, holding a lit candle in his right hand. He lifts his gaze toward the upper left, suggesting a moment of contemplation or anticipation. Two additional figures linger in the shadowed background, their presence hinted at rather than defined, reinforcing the painting’s focus on solitary reflection.
Technique & Style
Schalcken employs a refined chiaroscuro, using the candle’s warm glow to model the figure’s form and generate depth within the darkened room. The delicate handling of light and texture reflects the fijnschilders’ emphasis on fine detail, while the subtle gradations of tone create a three‑dimensional atmosphere that draws the eye to the illuminated central figure.
History & Provenance
The canvas was produced during the height of the Dutch Golden Age, a period of vigorous artistic production linked to the nation’s commercial prosperity. After remaining in private hands for centuries, the painting entered the Rijksmuseum’s collection, where it is displayed as an example of Schalcken’s mastery of nocturnal lighting and domestic genre scenes.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Godfried Schalcken (8 October 1643 – 16 November 1706) was a Dutch artist who specialized in genre paintings and portraits.
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Girl with Burning Candle
A Girl Reading a Letter