Artwork
Woman Holding a Pearl Necklace In Her Hand
Woman Holding a Pearl Necklace In Her Hand is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Philips Koninck. It dates from 1664 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Overview
Philips Koninck’s 1664 oil painting presents a solitary woman holding a pearl necklace against a muted backdrop. Executed during the Dutch Golden Age, the work exemplifies the period’s focus on intimate, genre‑type scenes rendered with meticulous attention to light and texture. The piece now resides in the State Hermitage Museum’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a young woman leaning on a dark ledge, her chin supported by her hand as she examines a string of pearls. Dressed in a plain white blouse edged with lace, she appears absorbed in contemplation, suggesting themes of modesty, wealth, and the quiet moments of daily life.
Technique & Style
Koninck employs chiaroscuro to model the figure, allowing the illumination to strike the woman’s face and the glistening pearls while the surrounding space recedes into shadow. This contrast creates a three‑dimensional effect and emphasizes the texture of the pearls, showcasing the artist’s skill in handling light and surface.
History & Provenance
Born into an artistic family, Koninck first studied under his elder brother Jacob in Rotterdam before advancing his training in Rembrandt’s Amsterdam studio. The painting remained in private hands for centuries before being acquired by the State Hermitage Museum, where it has been on display since the early twentieth century.
Context
The work reflects the Dutch Golden Age’s fascination with domestic interiors and the moral undertones often attached to depictions of jewelry. By portraying a modestly dressed woman with an expensive accessory, Koninck aligns with contemporary genre painters who used such scenes to comment on virtue, wealth, and the transience of material beauty.
Artist & collection
Artist
Philips Koninck (5 November 1619 – 4 October 1688), also spelled Philip de Koninck, was a Dutch landscape painter and younger brother of Jacob Koninck.
