Artwork
Portret van een jonge vrouw
Portret van een jonge vrouw is an ivory painting. It dates from 1793 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The work is an ivory‑painted portrait of a young woman rendered against a warm beige backdrop.
About this work
Overview
The work is an ivory‑painted portrait of a young woman rendered against a warm beige backdrop. She is presented in a white, low‑cut dress, her hair pulled back and accented with pearls. The composition places her right hand on her chest while her left arm, bent at the elbow, holds a white cloth, and her gaze is turned slightly to the right.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter appears as an elegant, refined figure, suggested by the pearls, the modest neckline, and the poised hand gestures. The subtle turn of her head and the soft direction of her gaze convey a quiet introspection, while the cloth in her left hand may allude to domestic or ceremonial duties, reinforcing the portrait’s focus on personal identity.
Technique & Style
Executed in ivory pigment, the painting employs a smooth, almost luminous surface that highlights the sitter’s fair complexion and the delicate sheen of the pearls. The warm beige background provides a muted contrast, allowing the white dress and the subtle modeling of flesh to stand out. The handling of light and shadow reflects a restrained, classical approach to portraiture.
History & Provenance
No specific details about the artist, date of creation, or ownership trail are provided in the source material. Consequently, the work’s provenance remains undocumented, limiting its placement within a broader collection or exhibition history.
Artist & collection
