Portrait of a Young Woman 

Jacob Jordaens made this portrait of a young woman with pen and brown ink, heightened with watercolor. Look closely and you'll notice how the washes of color really bring out the texture and volume of her clothing. Jordaens was a master of capturing light and shadow, creating a sense of depth and realism that was highly sought after in his time. It's also fascinating to observe the way he rendered the fabrics: The delicate lace collar contrasts with the heavier drape of her gown. The way Jordaens uses layering of light and dark is incredibly skillful, achieving the opulence that his patrons desired, as painting was a luxury available only to a few. Consider the amount of labor that would have gone into producing this portrait: from preparing the materials to the artist's own creative labor. Thinking about the artwork in terms of its making helps us to appreciate its significance in the social and economic context of its time.