The Serenade 1678 - 1680

Frans van Mieris the Elder's *The Serenade* is a small oil painting that depicts a romantic scene illuminated by candlelight. The painting is set at night and features a serenading couple. The artist, known for his meticulous detail and mastery of genre painting, portrays a poignant scene of love and courtship. The composition is balanced and harmonious, showcasing the artist's exceptional skill in representing light and shadow. The painting exemplifies the Dutch Golden Age style of painting, with its focus on domesticity and the everyday lives of ordinary people. *The Serenade* is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, NY.