Portret van een vrouw 1758 - 1830

This small oval miniature is a watercolor portrait of a woman by Henrik Ploetz, dating back to the late 18th century. Notice the composition—the soft gradations of color and diffused light create an intimate, almost dreamlike atmosphere. Ploetz masterfully uses the watercolor medium to render delicate textures, particularly in the woman’s powdered hair and the subtle sheen of her dress. The choice of an oval format encloses the figure, focusing our attention on her serene expression and elegant features. The cool palette of blues and grays is punctuated by the ribbon in her hair, adding a subtle vibrancy that animates the composition. This intimate scale suggests it was created for personal use, possibly as a keepsake. The careful rendering of details, combined with the restrained color scheme, reflects a neoclassical sensibility and a focus on idealised beauty and the quiet interiority of the sitter.