Artwork

Portret van jonkvrouwe Maria Francisca Louisa Dommer van Poldersveldt (Ubbergen 1848 - 1925 ’s-Hertogenbosch)

Portret van jonkvrouwe Maria Francisca Louisa Dommer van Poldersveldt (Ubbergen 1848 - 1925 ’s-Hertogenbosch) is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Fernand Khnopff. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Overview

Fernand Khnopff’s 1894 oil portrait depicts Maria Francisca Louisa Dommer van Poldersveldt, a Dutch noblewoman born in 1848. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection and presents the sitter seated at a piano within a modestly lit interior. The composition balances the figure’s poised demeanor with the subdued surroundings, creating a quiet, introspective atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The painting shows the young lady in a dark, lace‑trimmed dress, her hair neatly gathered, hands resting lightly on the piano keys. Her expression is calm and slightly solemn, suggesting a moment of private contemplation rather than a formal display of status. The subtle earring and the polished instrument hint at refined taste and cultural refinement.

Technique & Style

Khnopff employs a restrained palette and thick, tactile brushwork on the dress and piano, giving the fabrics a palpable texture. The lighting follows a chiaroscuro scheme, with soft illumination highlighting the figure’s face and the piano’s sheen while the background recedes into muted shadow. This handling creates depth and emphasizes the sitter’s inner focus.

History & Provenance

Executed in 1894, the portrait entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings as part of its 20th‑century acquisitions of Belgian Symbolist works. The subject, Maria Francisca Louisa Dommer van Poodlesveldt, lived until 1925, spending her later years in ’s‑Hertogenbosch. The painting has remained in the museum’s permanent collection, where it is displayed among other late‑19th‑century European portraits.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Fernand Khnopff

Fernand Edmond Jean Marie Khnopff (12 September 1858 – 12 November 1921) was a Belgian symbolist painter and one of the founding members of the avant-garde group Les XX in 1883.