Artwork
A Boy Blowing Bubbles
A Boy Blowing Bubbles is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Frans van Mieris the Elder. It dates from 1663 and is held in the collection of the Mauritshuis.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The inclusion of specific botanical elements and the act of blowing bubbles are central to the composition's narrative focus on domestic leisure and transience.
The painting depicts a young boy with blond, waist-length hair engaged in the recreation of blowing soap bubbles. He stands before a window sill where a vase holds a bouquet containing a common sunflower and Dianthus, alongside a leaf and the fruit of the grapevine. A woman wearing a coif and dress is also present in the scene.
As a genre work, the image captures a fleeting moment of childhood play. The inclusion of specific botanical elements and the act of blowing bubbles are central to the composition's narrative focus on domestic leisure and transience.
Technique & Style
The painting is executed in oil on a wooden panel, as indicated by its support and medium.
Technically, the handling is characteristic of the fine, meticulous brushwork associated with Frans van Mieris the Elder, employing delicate layers to render the reflective surface of the soap bubble and the textures of the boy’s costume. The composition is arranged close to the picture plane, with the boy and window occupying the shallow space, creating an intimate viewing experience.
Stylistically, the work exemplifies Dutch genre painting of the mid-17th century, emphasizing domestic life and youthful leisure with a refined, almost jewel-like finish.
History & Provenance
Frans van Mieris the Elder created the oil painting A Boy Blowing Bubbles in 1663. Executed on a panel measuring 25.2 by 18.3 centimeters, the work depicts a genre scene featuring a boy blowing a soap bubble near a window adorned with flowers. Historical records indicate that the painting was once owned by Willem Lormier. The artwork is currently held in the collection of the Mauritshuis.
A Boy Blowing Bubbles is held by the Mauritshuis in The Hague. Its accession number is 1988.0017. The work was part of the collection of Willem Lormier before entering the museum. It has been displayed in exhibitions at the Mauritshuis focusing on Dutch Golden Age genre scenes.
Overview
Frans van Mieris the Elder painted A Boy Blowing Bubbles in 1663. Executed in oil on canvas, the work belongs to his series of genre scenes that capture everyday moments with a high degree of finish. The painting is part of the Mauritshuis collection in The Hague.
Context
The work exemplifies the period’s interest in genre scenes that combine moral allegory with domestic realism. The inclusion of a date, MDCLXIII, carved into the window frame underscores the artist’s practice of marking his works, while the surrounding still‑life elements echo contemporary still‑life traditions.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Frans van Mieris the Elder (16 April 1635 – 12 March 1681), was a Dutch Golden Age genre and portrait painter.
