Artwork
An Old Woman and a Youth by Lamplight
An Old Woman and a Youth by Lamplight is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Matthias Stom. It dates from 1632 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1632, this oil on canvas portrays an elderly woman and a young man seated together in a dim interior, their faces and a small pot illuminated by a solitary lamp. The composition is tightly focused, with the surrounding darkness receding to emphasize the intimate exchange between the two figures.
Subject & Meaning
The work presents a quiet, domestic scene: the woman, dressed in a dark gown and white head covering, gazes solemnly, while the youth, clad in a dark hat and jacket, holds a covered pot. The juxtaposition of age and youth, along with the modest objects, suggests themes of care, instruction, or the passage of time within a humble setting.
Technique & Style
Stom employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, allowing the lamplight to carve out the contours of the figures against an almost black background. The stark contrast heightens the texture of fabric and skin, while the limited palette of deep shadows and warm highlights reflects the influence of Caravaggisti and contemporaries such as Jusepe de Ribera.
History & Provenance
Matthias Stom, a Dutch or Flemish artist active in Italy, produced the painting during his period of engagement with biblical and genre subjects. The canvas entered the collection of Denmark’s Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains part of the institution’s holdings of Dutch Golden Age art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Matthias Stom or Matthias Stomer (c. 1600 – after 1652) was a Dutch, or possibly Flemish, painter who is only known for the works he produced during his residence in Italy. He was influenced by the work of non-Italian…
