Portrait of an unknown lady

Follower of Jan van Scorel Dutch, 1495 - 1562

Date1542

Period16th century

Classification(s)

Art / Paintings

Object TypePainting

Registration NumberFAS/P/164

DescriptionThis half-length portrait shows a woman in three-quarter profile view. Her dark eyes are intensely fixed on the viewer. She is dressed in black attire, with a white collar and cuffs. Her hair is tucked neatly underneath her black coif, which frames her pale face. The figure seems to occupy a space, a corner between two walls, where she casts a shadow. An exquisite tortoiseshell frame complements the painting. This work is one of the gems in a small section of the room ‘Mobility, Connections, Directions’ which is dedicated to paintings from Northern Europe. Jan van Scorel was a Dutch painter, who spent a number of years in Italy, absorbing the style of Italian Renaissance painting, aspects of which he helped to introduce into the Dutch and Flemish Renaissance style. This immensely popular new style was adopted by many artists. This painting is, in fact, by a faithful follower of van Scorel.InscriptionsDated at upper centre left in paint: '1542'Material

Oil on slate

Technique

Painting

DimensionsFramed: 81 x 62 cm Unframed: 66 x 47 cmProvenanceFormerly in the collection of the Grand Master's Palace in Valletta.

Alternate ID Numbers