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 shows a youthful figure seated before a keyboard instrument. The composition captures a moment of quiet concentration, with the girl’s hands poised over the keys and her gaze directed downward.

Subject & Meaning

The work presents a domestic scene, emphasizing the education of young women through music. The girl’s attire—a dress accented by a prominent bow at the neckline and a ribbon in her hair—signals her genteel status, while her attentive posture suggests the cultural value placed on musical training.

Technique & Style

Executed in chalk manner, the image was produced by roulette printing from two plates, one in gray and the other in red‑brown ink. The cross‑hatching created by the roulette yields a soft, atmospheric effect, while the limited palette adds subtle depth and warmth to the figure and surroundings.

History & Provenance

The print was created in 1767 by the Dutch artist and printmaker Cornelis Ploos van Amstel, known for his reproductions of Dutch masters. It remains an example of his interest in combining drawing techniques with print processes, reflecting the mid‑18th‑century Dutch print market.