Who painted A lady holding a plate?

A lady holding a plate was painted by Godfried Schalcken in 1693.

Where can I see A lady holding a plate?

A lady holding a plate is held by Fitzwilliam Museum.

What movement is A lady holding a plate?

A lady holding a plate is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

A lady holding a plate

Godfried Schalcken , 1693

A lady holding a plate is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Godfried Schalcken. It dates from 1693 and is held in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum. Created in 1693, this oil painting portrays a solitary woman seated at a table, holding a metal plate that bears a modest portion of food.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1693, this oil painting portrays a solitary woman seated at a table, holding a metal plate that bears a modest portion of food. She wears a dark dress trimmed with pink, a red cloth draped over her lap, and a small earring in her left ear. The composition is set against a dimly lit backdrop that suggests a wall or curtain, emphasizing the figure’s presence.

Subject & Meaning

The work belongs to the Dutch genre tradition, focusing on an intimate, everyday moment rather than grand historical narrative. By looking directly at the viewer, the lady invites a quiet exchange, while the simple act of presenting food may allude to hospitality, domestic routine, or the moral virtue of modesty common in 17th‑century Dutch culture.

Technique & Style

Executed with the refined brushwork typical of the Leiden fijnschilders, the painting employs a subtle chiaroscuro that models the figure’s form and highlights the texture of fabric and metal. Careful attention to the sheen of the plate’s decorative rim and the soft folds of the dress demonstrates the artist’s commitment to realistic detail and controlled lighting.

History & Provenance

The canvas is attributed to Godfried Schalcken, a Dutch artist noted for candlelit interiors and night scenes. After remaining in private hands for several centuries, the painting entered the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum, where it is displayed as part of the institution’s holdings of Dutch Golden Age art.

Context

Schalcken worked within the late‑17th‑century Dutch art market, which favored finely rendered domestic scenes that appealed to affluent patrons. This piece reflects the period’s interest in portraying quiet, private moments with a high degree of technical polish, aligning it with other works by the fijnschilders who emphasized meticulous surface detail and controlled illumination.