Soldaat en dame, van achteren c. 1654

"Soldaat en dame, van achteren" (c. 1654) is a watercolor sketch by Dutch artist Gesina ter Borch, known for her intimate portraits and genre scenes. The sketch, housed in the Rijksmuseum, portrays a soldier and a lady from behind, suggesting a fleeting encounter or a moment of separation. The figures, depicted with simple lines and subtle shading, evoke a sense of intimacy and privacy, characteristic of ter Borch's style. Despite the small scale, the sketch reveals the artist's meticulous attention to detail, evident in the soldier's elaborate attire and the lady's delicate silhouette. The use of watercolor, a medium favored by ter Borch, allows for a soft and ethereal quality, capturing the delicate nuances of the figures and their surroundings.