Who painted Pancake Woman?

Pancake Woman was painted by Jacobus Buys in 1768.

Where can I see Pancake Woman?

Pancake Woman is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Pancake Woman?

Pancake Woman is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Pancake Woman

Jacobus Buys , 1768

Pancake Woman is a chalk print by the Romanticist artist Jacobus Buys. It dates from 1768 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Cornelis Ploos van Amstel’s print ‘Pancake Woman’ dates from 1768. Executed in the chalk‑manner technique, the image is rendered in black ink on laid paper. The work presents a domestic interior scene centered on a female figure engaged in cooking, offering a glimpse into everyday life in the late eighteenth century.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts a seated woman in a long dress and headscarf, holding a frying pan in her right hand and a spatula in her left. She is positioned before a window and a table, absorbed in the act of preparing pancakes. The focus on her concentration underscores the dignity of ordinary labor.

Technique & Style

Ploos van Amstel employed the chalk‑manner, a printmaking process that imitates the soft tonal qualities of chalk drawing. Black ink is applied to laid paper, producing delicate gradations and a muted surface texture. The method allows fine detail in the figure’s clothing and the surrounding furnishings while maintaining an overall subtle visual tone.

History & Provenance

Created in 1768, the print belongs to the artist’s broader output of genre scenes that document daily activities. While specific ownership records are limited, the work is catalogued among Ploos van Amstel’s prints held in European collections, reflecting the artist’s interest in depicting contemporary domestic life.