Artwork
Nuori nainen ja kynttilä, kopio Gerrit Doun mukaan
Nuori nainen ja kynttilä, kopio Gerrit Doun mukaan is an unspecified painting by Aleksander Lauréus. It is held in the collection of the Finnish National Gallery. The image portrays a young woman seated before a window, holding a lit candle that illuminates her face.
About this work
Overview
The image portrays a young woman seated before a window, holding a lit candle that illuminates her face. She is dressed in a white shirt beneath red outer garments, and her dark hair is gathered back. The surrounding space is largely dark, emphasizing the contrast between light and shadow.
Subject & Meaning
The figure appears absorbed in quiet contemplation, her gaze directed slightly to the right as the candle’s glow highlights her features. The intimate setting and the solitary act of candle‑holding suggest a moment of personal reflection or prayer.
Technique & Style
The composition employs strong chiaroscuro, a hallmark of 17th‑century Dutch painting, to model form and create depth. The interplay of light from the candle against the dark background produces a three‑dimensional effect, while the careful rendering of textures—fabric, hair, and candle flame—reflects meticulous draftsmanship.
History & Provenance
The work is identified as a copy after a painting by Gerrit Dou, a Dutch artist renowned for his refined use of light and shadow. The copy reproduces Dou’s original composition, preserving its tonal qualities and subject matter.
Context
Gerrit Dou worked within the Leiden school, where artists emphasized fine detail and controlled lighting. This copy aligns with that tradition, echoing the domestic interior scenes and quiet, introspective subjects favored by Dou and his contemporaries.
Artist & collection
