Artwork
Portrait of a girl

Portrait of a girl is an ivory painting by the Rococo painting artist Anthonie Joseph Helant. It dates from 1794 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Technique & Style
Executed in 1787 by Anthonie Joseph Helant, this portrait is a painting rendered on an ivory support.
Executed in 1787 by Anthonie Joseph Helant, this portrait is a painting rendered on an ivory support. The work exemplifies the specific handling required for miniature portraiture on this non-absorbent, smooth surface, a technique prevalent in Holland during the late eighteenth century. As a genre piece, it focuses on the depiction of a young female subject, utilizing the luminous quality of the ivory to enhance the flesh tones and delicate features typical of the period's stylistic approach to portraiture.
History & Provenance
The ivory portrait titled Portrait of a girl was created by Anthonie Joseph Helant in 1787. The work originated in Holland and is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. While the specific commission details and the full chain of ownership prior to its museum acquisition are not detailed in the available records, the piece is definitively dated to 1787 based on its inception record.
The ivory portrait titled Portrait of a girl, created by Anthonie Joseph Helant in 1787, is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in the Netherlands. The work is classified as a portrait painting executed on ivory. While the specific inventory or accession number is not provided in the available documentation, the museum's records confirm the piece as part of its holdings. No exhibition history for this specific work is detailed in the provided sources.
Overview
Portrait of a girl is an 18th-century portrait painting on ivory by Anthonie Joseph Helant, dated to 1794, currently in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts a young girl dressed in a pink, lace-trimmed dress, seated on a green cushion. Her curly hair is tied with a ribbon, and she holds a small floral bouquet. The contrast between her light attire and the dark background emphasizes her central presence.
Context
This portrait reflects late 18th-century European portraiture trends, emphasizing the subject's innocence and elegance. For deeper insight into this style, examining Helant's broader oeuvre could offer additional context.
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