Ovale doos waarin een vrouwenportret en dertien transparantjes beschilderd met verschillende kostuums c. 1642 - 1652

This oval box features a woman's portrait and thirteen transparent slips painted with costumes, made by an anonymous artist. The box's form, defined by its oval shape and hinged structure, creates an intimate viewing experience, almost like peering into a private world. The portrait itself is striking. The contrast between the dark background and the fair skin of the sitter, along with her bright green dress, immediately draws the eye. The use of layering and transparency introduces a fascinating play with identity and representation. The ability to change the woman's attire suggests a fluid and performative sense of self. Each costume is a signifier, altering the narrative of who this woman is and what she represents. The very structure of the box and its changeable contents destabilizes the idea of a fixed identity, echoing broader philosophical questions about the self and its construction through external signs and cultural codes. The artwork’s formal qualities and the interactive element of changing costumes together invite ongoing interpretation.