Portrait of a Woman

Maker Anthony van Dyck (Flemish, 1599 - 1641, active England)

Maker Studio of Anthony van Dyck (1599 - 1641)

ClassificationsPAINTINGS

Dateca.1639

Mediumoil on canvas

Dimensions29 x 23 in. (73.7 x 58.4 cm.) frame: 38 × 32 1/4 × 3 3/4 in. (96.5 × 81.9 × 9.5 cm.)

DescriptionThis portrait provides a strong sense of this woman's vital presence and intelligent nature. The marked arch of her eyebrows, her brightly lit eyes, and direct gaze give her an expression of alert intelligence.

Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. Adele S. Browning Memorial Collection, gift of Mildred Browning Green and Honorable Lucius Peyton Green

Status

On view

Label TextThe similarity of this unknown woman’s face to that of Anne Kirke in her portrait (83.4), as well as others by the artist, can be ascribed to van Dyck’s development of a facial type that he repeated throughout his work. These facial features, including an elongated nose, arched eyebrows, and large eyes, contributed to idealized stereotypes of female beauty in the period. The greater degree of finish given to the woman’s face indicates that van Dyck focused his attention there, while his studio assistants completed her dress.

Bibliography

British paintings at the Huntington

Object number78.20.20