Seated woman c. 1630 - 1670

Govert Flinck’s ‘Seated Woman’ is a drawing now held at the Rijksmuseum. It was made during the Dutch Golden Age, a period of immense economic growth and cultural flourishing in the Netherlands but also a time marked by rigid social hierarchies and expectations, particularly for women. Flinck, a student of Rembrandt, captures the woman in a private moment. She is nude, seated, and turned slightly away, her gaze directed downwards. This intimate portrayal invites questions about the dynamics between the artist and his model, and the societal norms that governed such interactions. Who was she? What was her life like? The act of depicting her nude form raises questions about the power dynamics inherent in the male gaze. The drawing, with its delicate lines and subtle shading, invites us to consider the woman's emotional state. Is there a sense of vulnerability, defiance, or perhaps quiet resignation in her posture? Her story remains untold, but the drawing prompts us to reflect on the complex realities of gender and representation in the 17th century.