Who painted Standing Young Peasant Woman?

Standing Young Peasant Woman was painted by Sébastien Le Clerc I in 1685.

Where can I see Standing Young Peasant Woman?

Standing Young Peasant Woman is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Standing Young Peasant Woman?

Standing Young Peasant Woman is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Standing Young Peasant Woman

Sébastien Le Clerc I , 1685

Standing Young Peasant Woman is an ink print by the Baroque artist Sébastien Le Clerc I. It dates from 1685 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1685, this print is an etching on laid paper by the French artist Sébastien Le Clerc I. It presents a solitary figure of a young peasant woman, rendered in monochrome with a focus on line and shading rather than color.

Subject & Meaning

The work portrays a youthful rural woman standing upright, her hair gathered back and her gaze turned to the right. She rests her left hand on her hip, while her expression remains neutral, inviting contemplation of everyday life without overt narrative cues.

Technique & Style

Executed through traditional etching, the artist incised the image onto a copper plate, producing fine lines that convey the folds of the loose dress and the subtle modeling of the figure. The use of laid paper provides a textured background that emphasizes the stark simplicity of the composition.

History & Provenance

The print originates from the late 17th‑century French print market, a period when Le Clerc produced a range of genre scenes and portraits. It has been catalogued among his works from the 1680s, though specific ownership records prior to modern collections are limited.

Context

During the 1680s, French artists often depicted peasant subjects as part of a broader interest in rural life and moralizing themes. Le Clerc’s choice to isolate the figure against an unadorned backdrop reflects contemporary tendencies toward focusing on individual character and form.