This small panel, depicting an unknown, young lady, demonstrates Karel de Moor’s qualities as a painter of portraits beautifully. Executed on an intimate scale, the portrait stands out for its simplicity and spontaneity. De Moor immortalized the young woman’s likeness to her best advantage, imbuing her appearance with grace and elegance, but without giving in to excessive flattery. De Moor painted his pretty patron with a smooth and spirited brush. The artist clearly delighted in painting the lace trimming of the woman’s chemise and indeed did a wonderful job in portraying the elaborate and ornate pattern as well as the feel of the textile. The sitter’s fashionable fontange hairstyle places this painting at the beginning the 1690s.


The full entry is available on request