Artwork
Portret van een vrouw in maskeradekleding als Flora

Portret van een vrouw in maskeradekleding als Flora is an unspecified painting by the Mannerist artist Isaac Oliver. It dates from 1598 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Technique & Style
The subject is depicted in masquerade attire representing Flora, incorporating floral elements into the composition.
Created in 1596, this miniature portrait by Isaac Oliver is executed on a support of parchment. The work measures 5.3 cm in height and 4.1 cm in width, reflecting the intimate scale characteristic of the genre. While specific pigments or binding media are not detailed in the available records, the classification as a painting on parchment indicates a delicate handling of materials suited to small-scale portraiture. The subject is depicted in masquerade attire representing Flora, incorporating floral elements into the composition.
History & Provenance
Portret van een vrouw in maskeradekleding als Flora was created by Isaac Oliver in 1596 on parchment, measuring approximately 5.3 cm in height and 4.1 cm in width. The work is a miniature portrait depicting a woman in masquerade attire as the goddess Flora.
According to the available sources, the painting has been part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection and is located there; earlier ownership, commission details, or subsequent provenance prior to its entry into the museum are not documented in the provided material.
Overview
Created in 1598 by the English miniaturist Isaac Oliver, this circular portrait on parchment presents a woman dressed in masquerade attire that alludes to the Roman goddess Flora. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection and exemplifies the intimate, detailed portraiture typical of late‑sixteenth‑century English court culture.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is shown in a dark, gold‑trimmed gown with a crisp white collar, her hair styled with an arrangement of flowers and leaves that evoke the springtime symbolism of Flora. The subdued expression and pale complexion suggest a blend of elegance and modesty, reflecting contemporary ideals of feminine virtue and the allegorical use of mythological personae in portraiture.
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