Artwork
A young woman near a table with fruits
A young woman near a table with fruits is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Monogrammist AS. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1650, this copper painting attributed to the anonymous artist known as Monogrammist AS portrays a young woman positioned beside a table laden with fruit. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection, where it is displayed as an example of mid‑seventeenth‑century Dutch genre painting on metal.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is a youthful woman in a blue dress trimmed with white lace, holding a plate of apples. She stands before a table draped in a dark cloth, upon which a large fish, a basket of assorted fruit, and other domestic objects are arranged, suggesting a still‑life setting that emphasizes abundance and everyday life.
Technique & Style
Executed on copper, the painting benefits from the smooth, reflective surface, allowing fine brushwork and precise detailing. A palette of blues, greens, and yellows creates a lively atmosphere, while subtle chiaroscuro modelling gives depth to the figures and objects, enhancing the illusion of three‑dimensional space.
History & Provenance
The work entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings through acquisition in the early twentieth century, though its early ownership remains undocumented. The attribution to Monogrammist AS rests on stylistic comparison with other signed works, a common practice for anonymous artists of the Dutch Golden Age.
Context
During the mid‑1600s, Dutch painters frequently combined portraiture with still‑life elements to convey moral or symbolic messages about prosperity and domestic virtue. The inclusion of fruit and fish aligns with contemporary conventions that linked such items to themes of fertility, nourishment, and the fleeting nature of material wealth.
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