Artwork
Cavalier and Lady with a Page

Cavalier and Lady with a Page is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Jacobus Buys. It dates from 1779 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Cavalier and Lady with a Page, created in 1779 by Cornelis Ploos van Amstel, is an aquatint with etching print rendered in red-brown ink on laid paper, depicting an intimate scene of three figures in a dimly lit interior.
Subject & Meaning
The print shows a seated lady, accompanied by a cavalier leaning over her shoulder and a page offering a plate. The lady holds a small dog, with the group's old-fashioned attire and warm, monochromatic color scheme evoking a sense of antiquity and domestic serenity.
Technique & Style
The artwork combines etching and aquatint techniques to achieve soft, shadowy tones and layered textures, evident in the folds of the lady's dress and the dog's fur. This method allowed for nuanced expression of depth and detail.
History & Provenance
Created in 1779 by Dutch artist Cornelis Ploos van Amstel, specific provenance details are not provided in the available information.
Context
The use of etching and aquatint reflects 18th-century printmaking practices, where such techniques were valued for their ability to produce rich, expressive prints suitable for depicting everyday and domestic scenes.
Legacy
While specific legacy details of 'Cavalier and Lady with a Page' are not provided, the piece exemplifies the enduring appeal of 18th-century Dutch printmaking in capturing intimate, daily life moments with technical sophistication.
Artist & collection



















