Portrait of a Woman, Called the Marchesa Durazzo
Original title: Portrait of a Woman, Called the Marchesa Durazzo
kurzbeschreibung
A seated woman in dark dress, identified by tradition as the Marchesa Durazzo, fills this canvas by Anthony van Dyck. He painted the portrait in oil, probably between 1622 and 1625. Formal poise and an intimate elegance meet in the picture.
Description
Her right hand holds an open book, while the left rests quietly in her lap. An elaborate collar sits above the black gown, and a long chain hangs down from it. A red curtain and a stretch of landscape with trees and mountains make up the background. Light falls mainly on the face and brings out its features, while dark tones, accented with red and gold, set the color harmony.
Context
The portrait was made in Genoa, where van Dyck worked for the local aristocracy. Who the sitter really was cannot be established; the name Marchesa Durazzo points to a Genoese noble family. Its format and pose follow the taste of the Genoese nobility, who prized elegant portraits.
Impact
The symmetrical arrangement and muted palette create a calm, dignified mood. Because the pale face stands against the dark ground, attention settles on the person, who gains presence from it.
Technique
The work is executed in oil on canvas, with face and fabrics built up in fine brushstrokes. Van Dyck used glazes to give the dark passages a velvety depth while keeping the flesh tones alive.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)