Portret van een onbekend meisje 1865 - 1892

Nicolaas van der Waay captured this ‘Portret van een onbekend meisje’ with watercolor. The appeal is immediate, the artist’s masterful manipulation of the watercolor medium. Notice how Van der Waay teased out delicate washes of color, building up layers to give depth and form. The choice of watercolor gives the portrait a delicate, ephemeral quality. The subtle gradations of tone, particularly in the girl’s skin, speak to the artist’s control and understanding of the material. It is a delicate technique, demanding precision and patience. The result is a work that transcends mere representation, offering a glimpse into the social context of the sitter. It speaks to a tradition of portraiture, but also a specific moment in time, capturing something of the subject’s inner life. This artwork demonstrates how even seemingly traditional media can be employed with extraordinary skill to capture the essence of a subject and their time.