Portrait of a Lady c. 1715 - 1730

Maria Verelst painted this “Portrait of a Lady” using oil on canvas. The lady's blue dress dominates the composition and contrasts with the dark brown background, creating a focal point that captures the viewer's eye. The portrait's composition is structured around a play of horizontal and vertical lines. The horizontal line of the ledge the lady rests on cuts across the verticality of her figure, subtly destabilizing the conventional power dynamics often found in portraiture. Verelst uses the texture of the paint to create a sense of depth and volume. The folds of the dress are rendered with detailed brushwork, suggesting a tangible, almost tactile quality. Through this formal treatment, the portrait transcends mere representation and becomes an exploration of color, form, and materiality. It is not just a likeness, but an invitation to consider the codes and conventions that shape our perception of beauty, gender and representation.