Woman with the Pear 1651

Ferdinand Bol's etching, "Woman with the Pear," (1651) depicts a woman holding a pear in her left hand. The composition is simple, with the woman positioned against a dark background, emphasizing her form. The artist's use of hatching and cross-hatching creates a sense of depth and texture, enhancing the realism of the image. This artwork, located in the Art Institute of Chicago, showcases Bol's skillful mastery of etching, a popular technique in 17th-century Dutch art. The subject's simple pose and the quiet mood of the piece contribute to a sense of contemplation and introspection.