Artwork
Portrait of Maria van der Meer as a Child
Portrait of Maria van der Meer as a Child is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Nicolaes Maes. It dates from 1660 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest.
About this work
Overview
Portrait of Maria van der Meer as a Child is a 1660 oil painting by Nicolaes Maes, a Dutch artist trained by Rembrandt. The work is a portrait of a young girl with a deer and dog.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a contemplative young girl, Maria van der Meer, seated on the ground with a deer and dog. The animals' gentle interaction with her conveys a sense of companionship and warmth, while her serious expression suggests introspection.
Technique & Style
Maes employed chiaroscuro to create depth and dimensionality in the scene. The oil paint captures the textures and colors of the subjects, including the girl's yellow dress and the animals' fur.
History & Provenance
The painting is now held in the Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest. It was created during the Dutch Golden Age, a period when Maes would later become a leading portraitist in Amsterdam.
Artist & collection
Artist
Nicolaes Maes (January 1634 – December 1693; buried 24 December 1693) was a Dutch painter known for his genre scenes, portraits, religious compositions and the occasional still life.
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