Artwork
Woman reading music
Woman reading music is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Han van Meegeren. It dates from 1937 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Technique & Style
The work is classified as a genre scene and is stylistically executed in the manner of Johannes Vermeer.
Created in 1937, Woman reading music is an oil painting executed on canvas by Han van Meegeren. The work is classified as a genre scene and is stylistically executed in the manner of Johannes Vermeer. The physical dimensions of the support measure 58.5 cm in height and 57 cm in width.
Currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in the Netherlands, the piece demonstrates the artist's technical approach to mimicking 17th-century Dutch masters through the use of traditional oil paints on a canvas ground.
History & Provenance
Created in 1937 by Han van Meegeren, Woman reading music is an oil painting on canvas produced in the Netherlands. The work was executed in the manner of Johannes Vermeer, reflecting the artist's focus on genre scenes during this period. Following its creation, the painting entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it remains housed.
Woman reading music, painted by Han van Meegeren in 1937, is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in the Netherlands. The work is an oil on canvas measuring 58.5 by 57 cm. No specific inventory or accession number, and no exhibition history, is documented in the available sources.
Legacy
The painting's enduring reputation stems from its masterful imitation of Vermeer's techniques, particularly its subtle handling of light and domestic interior genre. Its significance within Dutch Golden Age art history is underscored by its presence in the Rijksmuseum collection and its role in shaping understanding of 17th-century genre painting conventions. The work's influence extends to modern art historical discourse on attribution and stylistic imitation, reflecting its importance as a pivotal example of artistic homage.
Overview
Woman reading music is a 1937 oil painting by Dutch artist Han van Meegeren, categorized as a genre scene within the Dutch Golden Age movement.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a serene woman in a blue dress and dark blue headscarf, intently examining sheet music by a window. Her attire, including a pearl necklace, suggests a modest yet refined setting. The presence of sheet music implies a moment of musical engagement, potentially practice or quiet contemplation.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Henricus Antonius "Han" van Meegeren (Dutch pronunciation:; 10 October 1889 – 30 December 1947) was a Dutch painter and portraitist, considered one of the most ingenious art forgers of the 20th century.
