Lady at a Virginal 

Gabriel Metsu’s “Lady at a Virginal” captures a moment of domesticity in a richly detailed interior. The woman, seated at a virginal (a type of keyboard instrument), is depicted in a relaxed pose, her hand resting on the keys. The scene is filled with realistic details, from the ornate musical instrument to the dog looking on. This painting is a fine example of the Dutch Golden Age genre of “tronie” (meaning “face”), a portrait that focuses on the expression and character of the subject.