Vrouw in bed met een kaars 1683 - 1746

Nicolaas Verkolje's "Vrouw in bed met een kaars" (Woman in Bed with a Candle) is a captivating Dutch Golden Age painting currently housed in the Rijksmuseum. Dating back to the 17th century, the artwork portrays a woman in a dimly lit bedroom, her face illuminated by the flickering flame of a candle she holds in her hand. The intimate setting and the woman's relaxed pose, combined with the dramatic use of light and shadow, create an atmosphere of quiet contemplation and a sense of private introspection. This depiction of everyday life captures the essence of Dutch realism, highlighting the intimate details of domesticity within a captivating narrative.