Who painted Young Girl at the Keyboard?

Young Girl at the Keyboard was painted by Jacobus Buys in 1767.

Where can I see Young Girl at the Keyboard?

Young Girl at the Keyboard is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Young Girl at the Keyboard?

Young Girl at the Keyboard is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Young Girl at the Keyboard

Jacobus Buys , 1767

Young Girl at the Keyboard is a chalk print by the Romanticist artist Jacobus Buys. It dates from 1767 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Cornelis Ploos van Amstel’s 1767 print titled Young Girl at the Keyboard presents a modest study of a child engaged with a small keyboard instrument. Executed in chalk manner with roulette printing from two plates, the work combines gray and red inks on laid paper, yielding a muted, earthy palette. The composition is informal, suggesting a preparatory sketch rather than a finished illustration.

Subject & Meaning

The image captures a young girl seated, her hands poised on a diminutive keyboard, perhaps a virginal or clavichord. She is dressed in a loosely draped robe of pale pink and white, accented by a simple bow at the neckline. A faint suggestion of a table and an open book on her lap hints at an educational or domestic setting, emphasizing early musical instruction.

Technique & Style

Ploos van Amstel employed a chalk manner technique, using roulette-printed plates to lay down tonal fields in gray and red ink. The surface bears numerous smudges and swift strokes, characteristic of a rapid sketch. Cross-hatching and varied line density create depth, while the limited color range contributes to a warm, subdued atmosphere.

History & Provenance

Created in 1767, the print belongs to the artist’s series of studies documenting everyday life and musical practice in the Dutch Republic. It is recorded in several 18th‑century collections of prints, though its exact ownership trail before entering modern museum holdings remains sparsely documented.