Portrait of Clara Alewijn by Dirck Dircksz. van Santvoort

Portrait of Clara Alewijn 1644

dirckdirckszvansantvoort

fantasy art

charcoal drawing

possibly oil pastel

oil painting

portrait head and shoulder

underpainting

painting painterly

animal drawing portrait

surrealist

watercolor

Dirck Dircksz. van Santvoort's 1644 portrait, "Portrait of Clara Alewijn," depicts a young girl in a pink dress, adorned with flowers, holding a stick with a flower arrangement at its tip. The subject's delicate features and gentle gaze are characteristic of Dutch portraiture during the Golden Age. The presence of a lamb, a quiver of arrows, and other hunting implements suggests a symbolic connection to innocence, purity, and the virtues of a young girl. The intricate details of the clothing, flowers, and surrounding environment further enhance the realism of the composition.

Comments

rijksmuseum over 1 year ago

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Clara Alewijn was only nine years old when she sat for this painting. It is the pendant of the portrait of her brother Martinus. Mirroring him, Clara is portrayed as shepherdess sitting beneath a tree and surrounded by sheep. She holds a staff and flowers in her right hand. The bow and quiver in the foreground refer to hunting. Her festive fantasy gown lends the scene a timeless character.