Little is known about Dutch artist Gerard Donck. His works, which were kept in family collections and later housed in various museums, include scenes of everyday life, portraits, still lifes and paintings of kitchen interiors. The master’s technique indicates that he painted between 1627 and 1640, probably in Amsterdam. A few years ago, it was established that the painter died in 1641.
The “Portrait of a Young Woman Standing at a Virginal”, displayed in the Tomsk Museum, is one of three portraits that are signed and definitely painted by van Donck. The canvas is considered a textbook example of his style: experts compare paintings whose authorship needs to be confirmed to this portrait.
Gerard van Donck was a painter of the Dutch Golden Age. In the 17th century, the Netherlands became a center of trade, the living conditions of citizens greatly improved, and people began to decorate their homes with paintings, vases, and carpets. The middle class could afford only small-scale canvases.
Art historians refer to the artists of this period as “Little Dutch Masters” because of the simpler themes of paintings and small size of canvases. These include Pieter Claesz, Pieter de Hooch, Philips Wouwerman, Adriaen van Ostade and others. The most typical features of their style — a restraint color palette and carefully painted small details — are characteristic of the works of Gerard van Donck. He is distinguished from other artists of that period by unpretentious interiors and landscapes. Decorative details are painted very carefully, but there are few of them.
In the painting from the museum collection, van Donck depicted the interior of a state room with a virginal — an old musical instrument, very expensive at that time. The oriental carpet with a bright pattern enlivens the calm cold tones of the interior décor. Expensive household items emphasize how well-off the owners are.
The figure of the young woman organically fits the composition. Her costume meets the fashion standards of the 1630s. The heroine wears a black dress made of patterned fabric — outfits of this color were the most expensive in those days, they were worn for the most festive occasions. The garment is complemented by a lush white collar with several rows of lace, the pattern of which is repeated on the wide cuffs. Her smoothly combed hair is supported by a coif.
All details in the painting are scrupulously painted: the pattern of white lace, the open notes for a female vocal part on the virginal. Musical instruments in paintings by Dutch masters usually symbolize romantic love. In Donck’s painting, this is indicated by the notes of the second male vocal part, which the lady holds in her hand. Music played an important role in entertainment of Dutch burghers — wealthy urban residents.
The “Portrait of a Young Woman Standing at a Virginal”, displayed in the Tomsk Museum, is one of three portraits that are signed and definitely painted by van Donck. The canvas is considered a textbook example of his style: experts compare paintings whose authorship needs to be confirmed to this portrait.
Gerard van Donck was a painter of the Dutch Golden Age. In the 17th century, the Netherlands became a center of trade, the living conditions of citizens greatly improved, and people began to decorate their homes with paintings, vases, and carpets. The middle class could afford only small-scale canvases.
Art historians refer to the artists of this period as “Little Dutch Masters” because of the simpler themes of paintings and small size of canvases. These include Pieter Claesz, Pieter de Hooch, Philips Wouwerman, Adriaen van Ostade and others. The most typical features of their style — a restraint color palette and carefully painted small details — are characteristic of the works of Gerard van Donck. He is distinguished from other artists of that period by unpretentious interiors and landscapes. Decorative details are painted very carefully, but there are few of them.
In the painting from the museum collection, van Donck depicted the interior of a state room with a virginal — an old musical instrument, very expensive at that time. The oriental carpet with a bright pattern enlivens the calm cold tones of the interior décor. Expensive household items emphasize how well-off the owners are.
The figure of the young woman organically fits the composition. Her costume meets the fashion standards of the 1630s. The heroine wears a black dress made of patterned fabric — outfits of this color were the most expensive in those days, they were worn for the most festive occasions. The garment is complemented by a lush white collar with several rows of lace, the pattern of which is repeated on the wide cuffs. Her smoothly combed hair is supported by a coif.
All details in the painting are scrupulously painted: the pattern of white lace, the open notes for a female vocal part on the virginal. Musical instruments in paintings by Dutch masters usually symbolize romantic love. In Donck’s painting, this is indicated by the notes of the second male vocal part, which the lady holds in her hand. Music played an important role in entertainment of Dutch burghers — wealthy urban residents.
