Artwork
Woman Bather combing her Hair
Woman Bather combing her Hair is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Gerrit Dou. It dates from 1665 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts a nude woman engaged in the domestic act of combing her hair, a subject that aligns with the genre art tradition of Gerrit Dou.
The work depicts a nude woman engaged in the domestic act of combing her hair, a subject that aligns with the genre art tradition of Gerrit Dou. The composition focuses on the figure and the specific object of a comb, presenting an intimate, everyday scene rather than a mythological or historical narrative. As a genre painting from 1665, the piece captures a moment of private toilette, emphasizing the detailed observation of the female form and the texture of the hair.
The imagery represents a straightforward depiction of a woman at her vanity, characteristic of Dutch genre scenes that elevated mundane activities through meticulous execution.
Technique & Style
Executed in 1665, this work is an oil painting applied to a wooden panel. The composition measures 25 cm in height and 19 cm in width. Stylistically, the piece is classified as a genre painting featuring a nude subject, specifically depicting a woman engaged in the act of combing her hair.
The handling of the medium reflects the artist's focus on domestic scenes rendered with fine detail, characteristic of Dutch masters from this period.
History & Provenance
Gerrit Dou painted Woman Bather combing her Hair in 1665, an oil work originally owned by Willem Lormier before entering the Hermitage Museum's collection.
The Hermitage Museum acquired the piece as part of its Dutch masters from the Hermitage exhibition, maintaining its provenance from the artist through private ownership to institutional custody.
The painting's creation history is anchored to its 1665 inception, with dimensions recorded as 25 cm in height and 19 cm in width on panel.
It has been displayed in Hermitage exhibitions highlighting Dutch Golden Age genre art, underscoring its continued scholarly and public engagement.
The work remains part of the Hermitage's permanent collection, reflecting its enduring significance within European art history.
Gerrit Dou painted Woman Bather combing her Hair in 1665, an oil on panel measuring 25 cm by 19 cm. The work entered the Hermitage Museum collection through the bequest of Willem Lormier and has been featured in exhibitions of Dutch masters at the Hermitage.
Overview
Created in 1665 by the Dutch painter Gerrit Dou, Woman Bather combing her Hair is an oil painting that presents a solitary figure engaged in a private act. The work measures modestly, in keeping with Dou’s reputation for finely rendered, intimate scenes, and is presently housed in the State Hermitage Museum.
Context
The painting exemplifies the Dutch Golden Age’s interest in everyday domestic moments rendered with technical virtuosity. Dou’s focus on a solitary, partially clothed figure aligns with contemporary genre conventions that explored the boundary between public display and private routine, while his use of light reflects broader Baroque influences.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Gerrit Dou (pronounced; 7 April 1613 – 9 February 1675), also known as Gerard Douw or Dow, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, whose small, highly polished paintings are typical of the Leiden fijnschilders.
