Artwork
Portret van een meisje met een 'valhoedje'
Portret van een meisje met een 'valhoedje' is a graphite painting by the Rococo painting artist Joseph Marinkelle. It is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1790 by the Dutch artist Joseph Marinkelle, this modestly sized oval portrait is executed in pencil and is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection. It presents a young female sitter rendered with delicate precision, her features softened by a faint smile and a pale complexion.
Subject & Meaning
The work portrays a girl dressed in a plain white garment, adorned with a single pearl necklace. Her hair is styled in an elevated powdered wig, a fashion cue that hints at contemporary notions of modesty and genteel status, while the restrained expression suggests quiet introspection.
Technique & Style
Marinkelle employed fine pencil work, using stippling and subtle cross‑hatching to model the hair, facial planes, and the luminous pearls. The meticulous dotting creates a gentle gradation of tone, especially evident in the soft shading of the wig and the delicate rendering of the necklace.
History & Provenance
The portrait entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings through acquisition in the early twentieth century, though earlier ownership records remain sparse. Its survival in good condition reflects the durability of the paper support and the careful handling it has received over more than two centuries.
Context
In the late eighteenth century, miniature portraiture served both decorative and commemorative purposes, often kept in personal lockets or albums. The gold‑toned decorative border surrounding the image evokes the appearance of a locket, reinforcing the work’s intimate, keepsake character.
Artist & collection
