Artwork
A Woman Playing the Bandora
A Woman Playing the Bandora is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Eglon van der Neer. It dates from 1688 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Technique & Style
Executed in the Dutch genre‑scene tradition, it portrays a woman seated with a bandora, a man, a dog and a chair within a domestic setting.
The painting A Woman Playing the Bandora (1676) is an oil on canvas work measuring 61 × 53 cm. Executed in the Dutch genre‑scene tradition, it portrays a woman seated with a bandora, a man, a dog and a chair within a domestic setting. The composition relies on naturalistic detail and a balanced arrangement of figures, characteristic of Eglon van der Neer’s style. The surface is prepared with a canvas support, and the image is built up with oil paint, producing a richly colored, finely rendered picture that remains part of the Statens Museum for Kunst collection.
History & Provenance
"A Woman Playing the Bandora" was created in 1676 by Eglon van der Neer, executed in oil paint on canvas. The painting is now held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains part of the museum's holdings. No information is available in the provided sources regarding the work's commission, intermediate ownership, or earlier provenance prior to its acquisition by the Statens Museum for Kunst.
The work measures 61 cm in height and 53 cm in width, and depicts a woman playing the bandora alongside a man, with additional elements including a chair and a dog. The inception date of 1676 establishes the period of creation, though the sources do not specify whether the work was produced on commission or as an independent piece by the artist.
The painting A Woman Playing the Bandora by Eglon van der Neer is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. The work, dated to 1676, is executed in oil on canvas and measures 61 cm in height by 53 cm in width. While the museum's location is confirmed as Copenhagen, the provided sources do not specify a unique inventory or accession number for this piece. Additionally, the available documentation contains no record of the artwork's exhibition history.
Overview
Eglon van der Neer completed A Woman Playing the Bandora in 1688, an oil painting characteristic of the Dutch Golden Age. This work presents an intimate domestic scene, depicting a woman engaged with a musical instrument while a man observes her. The composition also includes a small dog and elements of interior decor, establishing a quiet, contemplative atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
The painting centers on a woman, elegantly dressed in a white top and dark skirt, absorbed in playing a bandora. To her left, a man sits attentively, observing her performance. A small dog rests near the woman, completing the quiet tableau.
The dimly lit interior, with its subtle details like the large piece of furniture, contributes to the scene's introspective mood, suggesting a moment of shared musical enjoyment or quiet reflection.
Context
Created during the Dutch Golden Age, a period renowned for its rich artistic output, A Woman Playing the Bandora reflects the era's interest in domestic life and genre scenes. Eglon van der Neer was a versatile painter, recognized for his historical narratives, portraits, and refined depictions of everyday figures. This painting aligns with his skill in capturing moments of quiet interaction and the subtle nuances of human presence within an interior setting.
Artist & collection
Artist
Eglon van der Neer (1635/36 – 3 May 1703) was a Dutch painter of historical scenes, portraits and elegant, fashionable people, and later of landscapes.
