The Wife of Sebastiaan Leerse 1804

Willem Bartel van der Kooi's "The Wife of Sebastiaan Leerse" (1804), currently housed in the Rijksmuseum, is a striking portrait of a woman in a dark, richly textured dress. The elaborate lace collar and cuffs draw the eye to her delicate hands and the subtle, yet elegant pearl jewelry. The subdued background highlights the subject's presence, presenting her as a figure of quiet confidence and dignity. Van der Kooi captures the details of her attire with masterful precision, highlighting his skill in capturing the subtleties of texture and form. The painting is a testament to his mastery of the portrait genre and remains a prominent example of Dutch painting from the early 19th century.